Friday, September 2, 2011 Sobriety Checkpoint from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

- Venice Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue in Wilshire Area
- Topanga Boulevard and Califa Street in Topanga Area

Saturday, September 3, 2011 – Sobriety Checkpoint from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

• Venice Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard in Pacific Area
• Western Avenue and Slauson Avenue in 77th Street Area
• Figueroa Street and 9th Street in Central Area

Sunday, September 4, 2011 – Sobriety Checkpoint from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Harbor Boulevard and 1st Street in Harbor Area

If you’re going to be drinking, please plan accordingly. Remember, the police are looking for “impared” driving or “driving under the influence” — litterally. Buzzed driving is going to get you in just as much trouble.

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.

Klein was arrested on June 16th just after 3:15 AM on an alleged DUI.  He was driving on the 101 Freeway with his dog. He was later bailed out of the Van Nuys Jail. It’s reported his blood alcohol level was just about 3 times legal limit in California, which is .08 percent. 

If found guilty this time, Chris could be facing a minimum of four days behind bars. He was also arrested in 2004, where he was charged with two counts of DUI. He pleaded guilty and was fined $1,800 and performed community service.

With new laws that take effect this year in July, a multiple DUI offender may have to use an “ignition interlock system,” before they can get behind the wheel of a car.

The new device would be installed directly on the person’s vehicle. When they want to drive, they’d have to take a breathalyzer test right then and there. The device will read if they have been drinking.  If they were, the car just won’t start. Pretty darn smart for a device, and good for public safety too. Maybe it will make a difference.

Officials state this new fine will help the city recover thousands in administrative costs. According to a Police report, the court will impose the fine as part of the civil judgement, and as a condition of their probation. The city reports that the money can help with purchasing fingerprint equipment, storage, photographs and other administrative costs.

Glendale has been charging this fee to those convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) since 1997 and has collected about $31,000 in fees. With the expanded fee, the city could re-claim as much as $157,000 per year if just 15% of those arrested pay the fee.

Sounds reasonable: “You play, you pay.“

Calling on one, Matthew Van McDaniel. This young man from Los Alamitos actually did such a thing. On January 10th, he lost control and crashed his S550 directly through the gates of the James Musick Correctional Facility in Irvine. When a deputy there tried to restrain him, he actually punched the man breaking his nose.

Jim Armormino, a Sheriff’s spokesperson claimed it was “the first time somebody tried to break into the jail.”

Now, Mr. McDaniel is having to pay a big price for his mistakes. He pleaded guilty to his charges and has received 9 years in a state prison.  The Orange County D.A.’s office stated that his charges are for driving recklessly while DUI and assaulting a peace officer.

He was also charged for being an ex-convict and entering the grounds of a correctional facility. Seems he had a prior arrest 2003 for assault with a deadly weapon.

McDaniel’s attorney, Anthony Zinnati worked out a plea deal for his client, claiming “my client realizes he has had some issues he needs to address… he looks forward to a period of self-reflection.”

Seems Matthew Van McDaniel will have just about 9 years of time to reflect.

The “Avoid The 18″  Campaign which ran from Friday and ended on Monday was part of a statewide campaign to keep drunk drivers off the roads.

10 people were arrested in Salinas on suspicion of DUI  and 4 were arrested in Monterey. Carmel police officers reported one  arrest while the Presidio area of Monterey reported one.  A total of 45 arrests were made according to spokeswoman, Jan Ford. The good news is that no fatalities were reported in these numbers.

The King City office of the CHP set up sobriety checkpoints. These campaigns, along with 41 similar crackdowns across the state of California involve over 540 law enforcement agencies which cover 98% of the California’s entire population.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of (NHTSA), these are  the largest funded statewide DUI crackdowns in the entire United States.

Officials saw more than 1300 cars at the PCH checkpoint between 9:30 pm and 2:30 am, which has led to the arrest of 11 drivers suspected of DUI. Additionally, there were three criminal arrests, 5 cited for driving without a license or suspended licenses.

The Huntington Beach Police also held a checkpoint on Adams Avenue, west of Brookhurst Street. Over 500 vehicles were screened and 3 people were arrested there for DUI.

Costa Mesa Police have also set up a checkpoint at the intersection of Baker and Bear Streets. There, 318 cars were screened. Three people were arrested on suspician of driving under the influence and 9 citations were issued. Six of those vehicles were impounded.

Sgt. David Makiyama, a police spokesperson stated, “The goal of the DUI checkpoint was removing impaired drivers and to bring awareness to the public of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.”

These recent checkpoints yell out clearly the need for people to “raise their awareness.” Drinking and driving is not taken lightly by the law.

So even when someone is thinking, “it’s just one little drink”… if later arrested for DUI, they definitely won’t be thinking, “it’s just one little night in jail.” Will they?

Reportedly, it all happened outside of a Taco Bell at about 1:40 a.m. Saturday when Porter was asked by CHP officer, Jeritt Greer for his license when Greer noticed the smell of alcohol coming from Porter’s vehicle. He refused. Instead, Porter rolled up the window. He then made the unfortunate mistake of ‘slapping’ officer Greer’s hand when he attempted to reach in and unlock the door.

Porter got out of his car in a reported, verbal and confrontational manner. The officer drew his baton and ordered Porter to the ground. Refusing to comply with this order, Porter simply put his hands behind his head.

Apparently, this isn’t the football veteran’s first story to get media attention. In 2003, Porter was shot outside a Denver sports bar in a melee that left one person dead. Fortunately, the bullet hit him in the ‘gluteus maximus’ which caused only minimal damage.

But don’t let this mid-week holiday fool you for one minute. State wide law enforcement will be in place. So if you’re caught driving under the influence of too many green beers, well, you’ll going to be arrested and charged with DUI. You’ll also be fined, lose your driving freedom and spend the night in jail. Fun, huh?

Now, I apologize for putting a damper on one of the years funnest holidays, but I want to make sure we all make it home safely – after our green day celebrations.

There will be several events in Los Angeles. Like the St. Patrick’s Day parade, the LA County Irish Fair, the Orange County Marketplace St. Patrick’s Day Festival, and the St. Patty’s Fest in Hollywood. Then again, there’s the many cool Irish pubs and Taverns peppered about town. A great time to be had by all!

But be mindful. Public drinking laws may also be enforced on the street. Don’t get caught with a brew in hand at a public parade. Most city ordinances prohibit folks from possessing open containers in public places.

During the week of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Los Angeles Police Department will be conducting sobriety checkpoints around the city in an effort to keep the streets of L.A. safe. Below are some of the checkpoints and dates: 

• Wednesday, March 17, 2010  in the LAPD Wilshire Area
• Friday, March 19, 2010 in the LAPD North Hollywood Area
• March 21st, DUI saturation patrols will be conducted in communities served by both the LAPD Harbor and Central Community Police Stations.

The LAPD states, “If you plan on consuming alcohol, never drive while impaired and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired.” And, the team at Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds reminds you:“Buzz driving is drunk driving.”

So here are a few pointers to keep in mind before going out on St. Patty’s Day:

1. Before leaving home, plan a safe way of getting back prior to any celebrating.
2. If you know you are going to imbibe, make sure to designate a sober driver.
3. Simply leave your car keys at home. You can call a taxi, friend, family member, or use public transportation to make sure you get home safely.
4. If you see a possible drunk driver on the road, make a safe call to 911.
5. If you have a friend or see someone under the influence about to get behind the wheel of a vehicle, kindly take the car keys away from them. Take responsibility for them, and help them to get  home safely. 

Once the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are over, we’ll all want to arrive back at home safely, sleep warm and soundly in our beds, and dream of little leprechauns dancing ’round in our heads. Have a happy and safe St. Patty’s day everyone!

Photocredit: © Julián Rovagnati

When stopped, officers noticed symptoms of alcohol intoxication. He was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors. One for driving with a blood alcohol level in excess of .08% and DUI.

Ashburn was accompanied by an unknown passenger in the vehicle. Jay Bart, of the CHP said the Senator submitted to the chemical test for blood alcohol and was reportedly very cooperative with the arresting officers. 

Ashburn arrived at a Sacramento County jail sometime before 4 a.m. and was later released.