People expect to see explosions of color from fireworks displays this time of year, but police say anyone who drinks and drives also should expect to see the flashing red and blue lights of police cruisers behind them.

Police departments throughout Porter County are putting extra patrols on the streets in an effort to combat drunken driving this Fourth of July weekend.

Michael Grennes, Porter County Drunk Driving Task Force chairman, said the task force and Operation Pull Over are paying to put an extra 20 to 25 officers on the roads Friday and Saturday, and their sole responsibility is to look for drunken drivers.

The task force also is offering $50 rewards to anyone who reports a drunken driver Friday and Saturday -- if the tip leads to an arrest. Grennes said people can call 911 on their cellular phones to report a suspected drunken driver.

"July Fourth is always a big time for cookouts, parties and outdoor activities, which seem to include alcoholic beverages," Grennes said.

"We hope to get the word out (about extra patrols) and the dangers of drinking and driving. We'd like to have no crashes or injuries over the weekend."

With the holiday falling on a Saturday this year and good weather expected, task force member Chris Eckert expects police will be busy.

In addition to state, county and municipal police agencies patrolling the streets, conservation officers will be monitoring the water looking for drunken boaters.