Crime & Safety

Sheriff's Department Nets 7 Arrests in WeHo DUI Checkpoint

Personnel from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Risk Management Bureau’s Traffic Services Detail conducted a DUI/DL Checkpoint on Friday, August 23 as part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department commitment to public safety.

This checkpoint was one of many that have been or will be conducted throughout the year in West Hollywood. The location of Friday’s checkpoint was on Santa Monica Blvd. at Robertson Blvd. The goal of the DUI/DL Checkpoint was removing impaired drivers and to bring awareness to the public of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. 

6854 Vehicles through the Checkpoint 
2953 Drivers Checked at the Checkpoint 
4 DUI – Alcohol Suspect Arrested 
2 DUI – Drug (Marijuana) Suspects Arrested 
1 Illegal Possession of Narcotics Suspect Arrested 
6 Vehicles were Stored for 1 Day 

Coordinated by: 
Detective Daniel Dail 
Traffic Services Detail 
Risk Management Bureau 
Administrative Services & Training Division 
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
(323) 890-5400 
www.lasd.org 

All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. Alcohol impaired deaths make up the largest number of vehicle fatalities, with 31 percent of all vehicle fatalities caused by a drunk driver. 

According to the Sheriff's Department: A DUI/DL checkpoint is an effective and proven method in lowering alcohol related traffic deaths. DUI/DL checkpoints are an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well to ensure that drivers possess a valid driver’s license. Upcoming DUI Checkpoints include: 
  • The locations of the checkpoints will be based on DUI related activity in that area. Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. 
  • Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. 
  • In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes, DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving. 
“Saving lives, reducing injuries, traffic collisions and property damage is important work,” said Sheriff Lee Baca. "Every life is a life worth saving and we will do our utmost to help keep the public safe." 

All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. DUI/CDL checkpoints are an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers posses a valid driver’s license. A major component of these checkpoints is to increase awareness of the dangers or impaired driving and to encourage sober designated drivers. 

A DUI/CDL checkpoint is a proven effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and others experts believe motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving. 

Statewide, overall traffic deaths have declined 23 percent from 3,995 in 2007 to 3,081 in 2009 and total traffic fatalities are at their lowest level in six decades. DUI deaths have declined from 1,132 in 2007 to 950 in 2009, which is a decrease of over 16 percent. Not to mention the high cost of a first time DUI conviction which could cost someone anywhere between $6,000 to $10,000 when all the potential fines, fees, classes, lawyers, work days missed, and increased insurance for years to come have been factored in. 

Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org 

AS A DRIVER, PLAN AHEAD WITH THESE TIPS: 

Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before the drinking begins 

Identify and provide free non-alcoholic drinks or other promotional items to the Designated Driver 

Party hosts and servers must limit drinks to your guests or patrons. Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours. 

Cut back on the amount of drinks you plan to bring to the party – and provide plenty of food. 

Funding for these operations is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safetyhttp://www.ots.ca.gov/ through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationhttp://www.nhtsa.gov/ 


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