The finishing touches on the Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters may be completed early next year, according to a city official. Renovations began nearly three years ago on the facility.

Bonnie Teaford, Public Works Director, is optimistic that the final phase of the renovation will be wrapping up in March 2012, with a total estimated cost of $9.5 million.

Repairs to the facility took place in 2000, nearly two years after it opened, due to water damage. Water leaks were discovered in the firefighter locker area, as well as the parking garage, front stairs, and other areas. The floors in various areas were also found to be too thin and in need of repair. This necessitated removing and replacing the limestone flooring.

The original contractor for the facility, Kajima Construction Services, had a suit filed against it by the City of Burbank, which alleged that the company did substandard work. Kajima settled with the city in August 2008 for $3.16 million, along with $475,000 from WLC Architects.

Burbank Bail Bonds at Glendale Police Department

The current project also included removing the concrete from the floor of the Burbank Jail. This made it necessary for the Burbank police to take suspects to the Glendale jail for booking. Having to travel such a distance eats into officers’ call response times.

Additionally, Burbank jail staff work at the Glendale Police Department. When a bondsman arrives to post bail, the bondsman needs to inform staff if it is for Burbank bail bonds or Glendale bail bonds and the appropriate jailer accepts the bail bond. It seems this could be done more efficiently, but for whatever reason, this is the system in place.

Deputy Police Chief Tom Angel said that most of the invasive tasks have been completed at the Burbank facility. The new floor was poured during the last few weeks. Inmates will not be booked at the new facility until the police ensure that the jail’s electrical system is in complete working order.

Teaford said, “Jails are interesting things- all the doors, locks and security are controlled electrically, and it all had to be torn out and be put back in. It’s a very, very complicated project. There were not very good design drawings to document where things actually went. It was very, very, very challenging. But that’s all behind us now. The wiring is all back in.”

The Los Angeles Police Department is advising that those who are attending parties to plan a safe way hope prior to arriving and/or to designate a sober driver to get them home at the end of the night. It’s also recommended those who have had a few too many drinks call a taxi, friend, roommate, or family member or to take public transportation to get home.  It’s further suggested that if you see someone who is visibly impaired who is about to get behind the wheel, to take their keys and assist in getting them home safely.

In our experience, most people who are arrested for first time DUI are released without bail about 8-12 hours after arrest, depending on their blood alcohol level. Repeat offenders, drivers involved in accidents or others with mitigating circumstances will require bail bonds to obtain release from jail. Additionally, certain jurisdications such as Burbank and all of San Diego County require bail for every DUI arrest.

Patch reports that a sobriety checkpoint will be conducted between 8 p.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday at Ventura Boulevard and Big Oak Drive in Studio City. A second checkpoint will be conducted between 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday at Sunset Boulevard and Bronson Avenue in Hollywood.

Earlier this week, Robin told us about the upcoming Labor Day Weekend DUI crackdowns. She painted a likely scenario of having martini’s and partying like a rock star, then foolishly driving home. But what does it really take to get a DUI?

You probably how you think most people get a DUI after a night of partying hard, but think again. Let’s just say you go to dinner have two glasses of wine. Pay the valet and head home. What’s with the traffic up ahead? DUI Checkpoint, but you’re fine, you just had a couple of glasses of wine… you unroll the window, the officer quickly shines a flashlight near you, your eyes give you away because they dilate involuntarily – especially if you’ve had a couple of drinks. “Step out of the vehicle,” says the officer. You’re still thinking no problem here… Think again, DUI is about being under the influence and you are! Sorry, but this is going to cost you.

You will be arrested and jailed if you’ve been drinking, you’re stopped and your blood alcohol level is found to be .08% or even under! 

According to commonly utilized alcohol impairment charts, many women would be over the limit with just one drink. Men may be legally under the limit with even four drinks, but .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is just a guideline. Driving under the influence is a per se law. This  means that the officer’s observations will be the first and foremost decide if you will be arrested. Handcuffs anyone?

When you are arrested for DUI (DWIin some states), you will generally be charged with two crimes: 1) Driving Under the Influence and 2) Driving with a blood alcohol over the legal limit – the higher your BAC, the more seriously the crime will be prosecuted.

As a bail bondsman, my experience with DUI is “after the fact”. Calls we get are often from jail, but sometimes are from friends or family looking to get a loved one out of jail. Generally, DUI arrestees will simply be held until they have “sobered up” and will not need bail. In California, this is six to nine hours. (Note that few jurisdictions do hold DUI suspects for bail or arraignment. For example, you will need bail in Burbank if you get arrested for DUI.)

There are other mitigating circumstances. If there was an accident, the BAC was particularly high or there have been DUIs, the suspect will generally not be released without bail.

Hopefully, you’ve just read information that will prompt you to plan ahead and not take chances. Drinking and driving is serious, not just because you could be inconvenienced by an arrest, but because it’s dangerous. Please think and act accordingly, not just over the holiday weekends, but always.

Photocredit: © Rob Byron- Fotolia.com