Alaska State Troopers plan increased DUI enforcement for New Year's
Published Monday, December 29, 2008
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Stumble It!FAIRBANKS — State lawmen said they will beef up their presence on the roads on New Years Eve.
Alaska State Troopers will roughly quadruple the number of officers on the road during select hours over the holiday evening and early morning, said Sgt. Brian Wassmann.
Wassmann said the extra patrols — funded largely by federal grants — are aimed at protecting drivers during a holiday that traditionally invites plenty of drinking and late-night partying.
“We know there’s an increase in the drinking and the incidence of (drunken drivers) on the road” during New Years Eve, he said.
Wassmann said the large patrol — up to 17 troopers will be on during peak hours — will likely spread out and try to cover much of the Fairbanks area during their shifts.
The city’s Fairbanks Police Department has not organized a significant level of extra traffic help for the holiday but will be patrolling the city with officers, including its federally-funded traffic-enforcement team, police Sgt. Robert Thompson said.
“Our traffic units will be out and about,” he said.
Wassman said the state applies regularly for help with drunken driving enforcement from the federal government. The state applied this year for the traffic grants through its Bureau of Highway Patrol, he said.
Contact staff writer Christopher Eshleman at 459-7582.
Community Discussion
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Please do us all a favor and patrol every stinking bar in this area and keep the drunks off the road from killing innocent people. I would even ask for check points on all major roads leading from the Midnight Mine and Blue Loon, to name a few, where our communities finest like to gather.
Take no prisoners!!!
flemm, what does "Take no prisoners!!!" mean? Are you asking that the cops execute drunks instead of arresting them?
Thought we had a new DUI enforcement arm of the troopers for this - it needs beefed-up more than this?
yep, WATCH OUT akguy...
flemm is right, set up checkpoints. It's the only effective way to combat this problem. Now only if we could get the troopers to recognize the DUI's aren't the only problem around here. How about a task force to stop thefts in this area? Anyone notice that stolen snowmachines and 4 wheelers hardly even make the blotter anymore? It's not because the thefts are down............
It's a moot point, especially when courts drop charge and reduce fines and let's 90% of with a slap on the hand. Flemm it's not just the bars its people who drink at home also. Until the courts get tough, just continue to read on about 20 - 40 arrest a week in the newsminer.. Yeah it's that bad.
Maybe it is time for the bar's staff and owners to become responsible and know when to tell a customer enough is enough. But that will cut into their profit line. Like you check your coat, why not check your keys at the bar and let someone sober decide if you can drive. A taxi ride cost a lot less than a DUI.
Maybe it is time for the bar's staff and owners to become responsible and know when to tell a customer enough is enough. But that will cut into their profit line. Like you check your coat, why not check your keys at the bar and let someone sober decide if you can drive. A taxi ride cost a lot less than a DUI. How many lives could have been save by a simple taxi ride.
FreeDarfu, best idea i have heard in long time, check your car keys and you dont get them back untill you pass a blow test, keep a record just in case they have extra keys. It is not that hard if you would just try. With the amount of money the state, city, borough, collect in booz taxes they should be able to effectively stop all this drinking and driving, but that would take some work,,something they dont know how to do..
Lost -
Thanks for the warning :)
I will be working new years eve - but do dread the ride home late at night...
You can be sure I will have both eyes open for those that choose to drive
Although I am against regulation in most forms - I would be OK with a checkpoint or three on special holidays....would be a better use of the extra troopers - better at least than creating traffic violations I think
people should really just use FreeDarfur's advice and blame the barstaff next time they get a dui. And flemm, the term "community's finest" often refers to the police force, and I don't think they want you talking about them gathering in bars. That's just rude and dangerous.
I know I like to get stopped by a cop for absolutely no reason at a random, should be unconstitutional, checkpoint.
i like to tell them im diabetic and low sugar. yeah i failed the rapid eye test, that because i have astigmatism officer.
is this article even news? I thought it was just common sense. Then again, a lot of people are lacking.
It looks like fair warning to me. I am a drinker, but do not drink very much in bars anymore, but it looks like a person would be smart to party hard at home this New Year. At the least, get a DD.
To those of you calling for checkpoints...Do you not remember back in the early-mid 80s when they tried this down around Anchorage and the Alaska Supremes told them to cease and desist. This practice is Unconstitutional and cannot be done here in Alaska.
Does this mean that the two officers that don't work strictly DUI now will?
What about other crime, this seems to take a back seat to all the drunks, who currently enjoy a wrist slap & a fine when/if convicted?
Less talk, stiffer DUI penalties.
They might beef up there presence,but they will have second thoughts about getting out of that warm car and doing a field sobriety test.
Give the law enforcement a break!
To you who are married or have a mate I’d offer this advice. Do something special with your bride and family. If you do this it will be a stepping stone unto a new path of happiness for you and your household. For me and during the cold periods focusing on family is most important. Especially at night when one can hear the crackle of snow underfoot as I and my bride of thirty years stroll hand in hand and gaze upon the wonders of the northern sky. What a great land we live in! Thank you Lord!
This time of year the people from Japan spend a lot to enjoy what Alaska has to offer us; what we take for granted. Take the sweetheart of your youth for a quiet walk each night (make love) and you will rediscover the joy of Alaska and of your own gifts at home. Do this and maybe one day even the law people can enjoy this for themselves because they would have less to do on the streets Fairbanks.
Happy New Year to you all.
This forum is stricly for chastising law enforcement and the news-Miner staff. Please keep your happy thoughts to yourself.
;)
tell you what you should do. next time they pull you over and you had too much to drink and you know it. Quickly turn off your car and take the keys out, pick up a bottle of schnaps and get out and lock it and start to chug. They will have the hardest time proving you were drunk before getting pulled over. fight fire with fire.
To those of you against checkpoints, keep in mind if you’re innocent then you should have nothing to fear. I personally have no problem with a law enforcement officer pulling me over for no reason because I have nothing to hide. So I say bring on the checkpoints. Anyone who’s been to a larger city has probably seen how well they work. If you don’t think they will eventually find their way back to Alaska then you are blind. Or possibly a chronic offender that has/has not been caught before?
People are dying left and right in car crashes and guess what? Alcohol is a factor in many of them! Unconstitutional? Give me a break. We’ve all heard that driving is not a right but a privilege and I couldn’t agree more. Be honest with yourself, if you abuse alcohol, take the bus/taxi before even considering applying for a driver’s license. Many law abiding citizens out there thank you in advance. A large population in this city/state love their booze and consume it to excess all the time, which routinely leads to poor judgment, which can lead to death. If you don’t regularly to do, read the police blotter and you’ll see just what a problem alcohol is in this town. Thanks to all the law enforcement officers for their diligence in this matter & bring on the checkpoints!
Ditto about check points. Law abiding here and would even think an off duty officer would buckle getting stopped at one of these things and having to spend 30 minutes. Find it easier to spot DUI on the road. However, if they have good looking female cops working all the checkpoints, I won't mind!
The reason they probably don't check keys at bars, it would hinder business. And then the drinkers would just go rent a building and have their own bar or something similar. It's a job for the bouncers/security, but there again, the bouncers/security are usually underpaid and understaffed per work load. (ie. One bouncer/security per 5 sq miles and 1,000 people lol)
Kudos to the Daily Miner for this forum. I would have never thought there'd be this many condoning stronger DUI enforcement. Thought everybody drank & drove in Fairbanks until reading some of your posts.
Actually, I think if they just made their presence known on the road when offenses escalate, would suffice.
LOL @ Slactivist
umm nobody said driving was a right, but your privacy is a right, and you don't leave that at home. I will completely honest, I think state troopers are the best of alaska, they actually live up to the what the sides of their patrol cars say. UAF and City police, even when pulling me over for traffic tickets, have been nothing but rude and they try to intimidate you.
Hey Buboy..We do not need FEDS getting more involved with our state laws, which is what will happen if they fund law enforcement. When Obama takes over that will happen anyway, Lets not push it.
They could have Taxi drivers with Community Service on their sentencing (for minor offenses) offer to take drunks home free. Many bars hire a sober driver for that purpose on New Years Eve anyway. Maybe they should consider doing that all the time.
It would save lives and prevent injury of innocent people.
Checkpoints ARE unConstitutional. Pulling people over with out probable cause is a direct violation. I think breathalizers at the bars would help. They could be for informational purposes only, (so the bartender and/or owner isn't held responsible for people who should be responsible for themselves), and the results should be in big red numbers in a prominent place in the bar with bells and whistles too, so everybody can see what everybody's alcohol level is when they leave. They can still make the stupid choice to drive, but if something happens on the way home, they'll be nailed to the prison wall. And, if somebody from the bar wants to call the cops and report you and your numbers, the cops will have probable cause to pull you over. The breathalizers would be funded by the state public safety department, and would would give us more bang for our buck than unConstitutional checkpoints.
It is not the cops fault that the Constitution is violated. They do what they're told. Cops also have to deal with every single horrible accident and incident that drinking and driving causes, so it's no wonder they're gung ho about trying to stop people from doing it, even if it means "inconveniencing" people with Constitutionally violating practices. What's a piece of paper compared to an innocent person's life they won't have to scrape up off the road? The argument is a strong one and almost makes me want to give up my rights, but NOT QUITE! Like Benjamin Franklin said, "He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither." I'm with Ben. A public breathalizer in every bar would encourage more people to think about getting in their cars if their numbers were right there for God and everybody to see. If you're going to accept the right to drink in public, you have to accept the responsibility of your level of intoxication, so the first step is seeing in no uncertain terms, what that level is. Self-judgment is kind of silly in the case of alcohol anyway, the drug that makes you feel like you can do everything better.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=YVPI-qDspB...
......why do bars have parking lots???
Checkpoints are against the Constitution of the State of Alaska. They have been done away with since the 80s when they were used ONCE if my memory serves me right then were told "NEVER do that again" but the AK Supreme Court.
Does someone else also have this recollection and some documentation?
VillageMyChoice - That was a lovely sentiment and thanks for sharing. I don't know how the American tradition of getting smashed on New Year's Eve started, but when I think about it, a lot of American holidays and celebrations seem to include intoxication as part of the ritual. Heck, some people celebrate getting home from work every night with it. :-) Anyway, thanks for the lovely image of you and your sweetie starting the New Year in gratitude and love. It inspired me to do the same.
new year's is "amateur" nite.
meaning - people that do not "normally" drink alcohol, may have a glass (or more) of champagne and then drive.
you do the math......i come up with disaster. so if check points is what it takes......then by all means.
alot of people are gonna be driving to the fireworks and what a drag to be in an accident & injured or killed by someone that had a drink to celebrate and ring in the new year.
I'm staying home simply because I don't want to risk having to deal with drunks or drunk drivers.
I am wishing everyone who works on New Years Eve warmth and safety. Thank you for doing what you do!
For the rest of you, Happy, Safe, Peaceful & Prosperous new year.
I have seen checkpoints used multiple times over the years, but only for crazy parties. They'd set up the checkpoints to make sure young and dumb people weren't driving away. The cops did this knowing full well it's illegal and can never result in a legal case, but it DOES result in those young dumb drivers not driving away and killing some unfortunate soul. I've seen a few get pulled out and told to find someone sober to drive before they can leave, whereas usually thats an arrest.
Question.. What is the organization BARTENDERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVERS doing or did they disbann..To DNM your getting some good ideas here, Make them known to the public. If our Community can come together and provide a warm shelter for drunks so they don't freeze to death. Our community should be able to do something more about Keeping the drunk driver from killing someone or themselves. Ironically a drunk driver can survive a accident better than a sober driver. They are more relaxed.
If 'checkpoints' have been declared illegal by the judicial system, I suspect the Police and Troopers will not be using 'checkpoints' but will, instead, try to be 'everywhere at the same time' and looking for any infraction as a 'pretext' to stop and 'offer a warning' (and if the driver is 'noticeably impaired', they will investigate further).
What are some of the possible infractions that could be used as a 'pretext'? Any light on a moving vehicle that is 'burned out' could be a reason to stop someone. If the vehicle is driving too fast, that is a reason to stop someone. If the vehicle is driving too slow (perhaps 20 mph when the posted speedlimit is 35 or higher), that is a reason to stop someone. A vehicle driving at (or near) the posted speedlimit that 'strays' onto and touches the highway lines (without previously signaling an intent to turn or pass another vehicle) could be a reason to stop someone. Driving while the rear license plate is obscured (perhaps by snow?) could be a reason to stop someone. If the person has not been drinking (and remains courteous and civil to the officer who stops them), they will be probably be released with only a verbal warning to correct what is broken and/or to be careful and alert for the rest of their drive home.
I don't believe the officers of the FPD, NPPD, or the AST are going to knowingly break the law if it means their arrests would be jeopardized when the cases come before a judge.
If your gonna go out and celebrate the new year at the bar you are more than likely gonna run up a hefty tab so before you go out set aside thirty to fifty bucks for cab fare plain and simple it is really that easy. Before you go out and celebrate think about this do you want to wake up in your bed with a hangover or in a cell for dwi or maybe even dwi and for hitting an innocent family and hurting them or maybe killing them. I know i sure as hell would opt for the cab ride. Just use common sense people and take a cab
Thomas: Ditto. Been around the lower 48, and from what I recall too they're usually setup at popular events or, you were more well put "crazy parties".
Agreed too. If it meant the case couldn't go to court, at least they stopped a drunk driver from driving.
Since I don't usually attend stupid events, this wouldn't infringe on any of my rights. <GRIN>
New Years eve used to be "the night of the drunk drivers". There will be some "legally impaired drivers" on the road New Years eve but there will be many sober drivers, designated drivers, on the road driving their drinking friends home.
In trying to remember the last several years for the New Years eve increased enforcement I believe the number of DUI's decreased considerably. One year I do recall the troopers stopped over 400 drivers and 16 were arrested for driving impaired. Of course that means about 96 our of 100 drivers were stopped by the troopers. You might say we have mobile road blocks when that many people driving are pulled over in the hopes of catching an impaired driver.
The person who does the drinking is the person who has the responsibility to stay under the level of impairment, 0.08, or the responsibility to find a ride home if he/she is over that level.
Don't lay this responsibility for not driving impaired on someone else. The penalties for an impaired driving conviction are plenty stiff. The enforcement is there. Be careful when you spout your wisdom for tougher laws or blaming others.
Next time you are driving home from work going 65 in a posted 55 mph speed zone remember you are breaking the law and you are a criminal. Since speeding is the major factor in all traffic accidents maybe the law should require jail time instead of a ticket. And your car would be impounded with that first speeding ticket. And you will be required to go "speeding awareness" programs. And you will have to have high risk auto insurance. And after your third ticket you will be a felon and your right to vote or have a gun is taken away.
What is good for the irresponsible drinker should be good for the irresponsible speeder!
Maybe people will stay home if the -60 below they are predicting happens. Check the law, a bartender can not serve an intoxicated person. they just do not enforce it. Maybe each person who breaks the law should pay the price. Wonder how many bar tenders would think twice if they got arrested for serving an intoxicated person. Just like the driver, the bar staff have a legal obligation.
i say new years eve should be "incarceration with bubba" night in fairbanks. any drunk drivers will have to spent 24 hours in a cell with a fellow named bubba. that should deter most of 'em.
I would suggest some of you consider doing like I'll be doing-- volunteer to drive people home from your neighborhood watering hole. I'll be off that night and doing so.
AND- I'll be driving 50 or 55 in my 65 mph zone-- why? Cuz it's uber-cold and the moose will be moving about.
No checkpoints ever. That is presumed guilt in a nut shell. Maybe all you screaming idiots wishing for this should move to Oregon where all your movements will soon be tracked for tax purposes. Also, plenty of checkpoints down there,seatbelt checks, deadbeat parent checks, tax evader checks and soon, green party member checks. I for one will not surrender one more right or one more freedom.
I realize check points are illegal but I sure like them. I'd rather see folks driving drunk off the roads and in jail, no ifs ands or buts. If you drive drunk you are a life threatening hazard not only to yourself but to those that choose to drive and drive safely. I figured the cops bashers would come out for this post as they always seem to do. To the bashers - if you have a gripe - and a valid one I should say there are ways to take it to the right agency to get it investigated. Cops are not perfect, and definitely not above the law. But they put their lives on the lines every single day and they reality is they are in one of the few jobs there are where there is a very distinct chanc ethey won't go home alive at the end of the shift.
Now, be honest, would y'all be just as willing to have checkpoints for drug paraphernalia?
I can remember, one of the first comment threads that I participated in was about a trooper pulling over a driver on suspect cause, and searching and seizing. I was lonely arguing that I was glad that one less person that was drug induced would be coming at me down the road.
In six short months, now most posters say that they approve checkpoints to violate 4th Amendment rights. Now, I'm against it. Mmmm. How's that happen? Maybe, I'm just getting onerous.
Doesn't matter. I don't celebrate New Year's Eve anyhow. It's a pagan ceremony.
glaceries, they won't arrest you for having a "pipe", or "papers"...
...they WILL arrest you for driving drunk, and rightly so.
(*hint- marijuana is not NEARLY as debilitating, not as dangerous)
dui refers to Driving under the influence of alcohol.
Alcohol is curse to the society. If you are in trouble and need some legal help then click
http://www.legalx.net/blog/category/dui
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