In all 544 vehicles came through the checkpoint who were also given literature about the goal of the action and other general information about being responsible drivers.The Oxnard Police Mobil Unit was parked in the Isbell Middle School parking lot and utilized for checking the status of those that said they did not have a driver’s license in their possession, but were legally behind the wheel. Vehicles were impounded when the information proved otherwise for six of the drivers.Sgt. Fogata said he is pleased that the enforcement action yielded no DUI arrests.“I think it was great...I think that all the publicity about fines, jail time and other repercussions” including the risk of causing a fatal accident has finally sunk in.“I’ve noticed the amount of drunk drivers coming down in general, not as many as there used to be,” and public awareness campaigns such as the one launched by the AVOID 14 Committee will continue to bring positive results.“People who drive drunk deserve a penalty and there’s plenty of penalties,” including jail sentences, hefty fines, future impacts on insurance and driver’s license suspensions among others.“It’s very costly in all aspects including losing work when can’t drive,” said Sgt. Fogata. “It’s not just a little offense...it affects almost every aspect of your life.”
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A DUI Checkpoint processed more than 540 motorists, but the May 29-30 action didn’t result in any arrests for driving under the influence. Photo by SPPD Officer Paul Spencer |
DUI Checkpoint: 544 drivers stopped in S. Paula, no arrests for drunk driving
June 06, 2007
Santa Paula Police Department
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesA DUI Checkpoint processed more than 540 motorists but the May 29-30 action didn’t result in any arrests for driving under the influence, according to a Santa Paula Police spokesman.But, said Sgt. Jimmy Fogata, six vehicles were impounded for unlicensed or suspended drivers’ licenses and 19 citations issued for “various reasons...”The multi-agency Task Force that took part in the action included the SPPD, CHP, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and Oxnard and Ventura Police as well as the CSU-Channel Islands and Ventura Community College Police forces, who set up the checkpoint on the 400 block of East Harvard Boulevard.The combined agencies are part of the AVOID 14 DUI Committee, made up of 14 law enforcement branches throughout Ventura County said Sgt. Fogata.“It went pretty well” with the Task Force processing vehicles starting at 7 p.m. Saturday and ending at approximately 1 a.m. on Sunday.The action, funded by the California Office of Public Safety, focused also on unlicensed drivers and those driving with a suspended license, lawbreaking that carries heavy costs.“It costs at least $1,100” for the tow and the mandatory 30 day impound noted Sgt. Fogata.Coordinated by SPPD Officer Dan Potter, the checkpoint was met with universal acceptance from those who were pulled over.“We got a lot of comments out there while we on the line checking,” said Sgt. Fogata. “Nothing negative, but complimentary...people were glad to see we were doing enforcement.”
