Keep Bailing

Due to the significant problem with drunk drivers in the area, the Huntington Beach Police Department has submitted a report that adds new aggressive measurements to crack down on the DUI problem.

The Huntington Beach area statistically showed that in 2008 they had the third most cases for arresting DUI offenders. Over the past three years, the Huntington Beach Police Department has made over 1,700 DUI arrests each year.

The 16-page report lays out a plan to introduce a new specialized DUI officer to their team, sending letters of notification to restaurants that they feel are enabling drunk drivers and posting the names of DUI offenders onto their website.

LT. Russell Reinhart, and police spokesman for Huntington Beach, said that their DUI program is the most aggressive in the county. However, police still think they need more help.

Presently, Huntington Beach officers four to eight DUI checkpoints each year, as well as they have a DUI task team. They use helicopters in obtaining DUI drivers, and on Friday and Saturday evenings, they add extra policemen for patrolling. They’ve also received $1.4 million in grant money to be able to add more police officers to their patrolling.

The idea of posting DUI offenders names online has stirred up controversy. Barry Simmons, a DUI defense attorney, stated, “This has been a concept that has been floated around for years. Humiliate them, single them out. It is the Scarlet Letter approach and there is absolutely no empirical data that things like that will do anything to affect recidivism. It could have a damaging affect on an individual’s reputation.”

However, Reinhart believes that with arrest records being public information that police are expecting that the public will become involved by keeping an eye out for DUI drivers. Reinhart stated, “We get tips on a regular basis and we are hoping to get more of them.”

Joe Carchio, a councilman for the city of Huntington, says he is all for it [the posting of names] further stating that it might be a deterrent for people who drink and drive.

The police department also wants to send out letters to restaurants they believe are aiding in the area of drunk driving. The main two restaurants are Sharkeez and Hurricanes. The police want the staff of these two restaurants to keep a closer eye on customers and monitor their drinking habits.

The police officers of Huntington Beach want more than just sober driving; they want to see life changes being made.