State troopers are stepping up their presence on area roadways for the July 4^th holiday.
 
New Philadelphia Post Commander Lieutenant Eric Escola says all of his officers are scheduled to work a shift now through midnight Wednesday.
 
He says having the holiday fall in the middle of the week makes it a little easier on his officers.
 

 
But Escola says there were plenty of celebrations that took place this past weekend to keep his officers busy.    
           

 
Escola says they are concentrating on traffic enforcement including looking for impaired drivers, among other things. 
 

 
Escola is urging responsible behavior for the Independence Day holiday.  He asks motorists to plan ahead, be patient, don’t drink and drive and buckle up!