The Folsom DUI Checkpoint was a major production. There were dozens of Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies, a Fire Crew and Police Volunteers.
The setup began on Folsom Auburn Road, just after 8:30 pm, with more than a quarter mile of orange cones slowing northbound traffic, feeding it into the checkpoint. When the mobile checkpoint control center was finally in place, the volunteers set up inside, officers lined up outside, with the lights all on, the operation began.
In the first group of five cars stopped, one driver was pulled over to the side for a Drivers License or DL check. Throughout the evening – and I was only there for two hours – there were multiple calls for “DL Check.” A few people just couldn’t find their license and it turned out to be in a handbag in the trunk or elsewhere in the car. At least three vehicles were towed away.
Several people were tested for sobriety.
I heard many people say they were pleased to see the police out on the road, checking for drunk drivers.
Councillor Starsky from Folsom City Council was there to see how the operation worked.
It definitely looked like a success to me. There was PR, there were warnings, there were some arrests. The message that its not OK to drink and drive needs to be reinforced.
Statistics on the checkpoint will be added to this story when they become available.
See Also:
Folsom Police To Conduct DUI Checkpoint
Folsom Police Take DUI Drivers Off The Street, Make One Drug Arrest