DUI checkpoints coming to Napa | Napa Valley Register

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DUI checkpoints coming to Napa

Police department receives grant

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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BY KEVIN COURTNEY
Register Staff Writer

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11:45 a.m.The Napa Police Department will set up drunk driving checkpoints in coming months using a $124,000 state grant.

The grant, approved Tuesday by the city council, also funds stings at the Napa County Courthouse. Offenders with suspended or revoked licenses will be arrested if they attempt to drive away from court appearances.

By attracting media attention, these enforcement actions are designed to spread the safe driving message to the community.

According to the city’s 2007 statistics, 17 percent of collisions involved drivers with suspended or revoked licenses or who have never been issued a license.

Eleven percent of the city’s drunk driving arrests that year were made at accident scenes, police said.

35 comment(s)

crooked6pence wrote on Oct 21, 2009 12:42 PM:

" This is exactly why the economy is in the depressed state it is in, especially here in California.

Nothing says redundant like paying a branch of government to do a job that they are already paid to do - through "grants."

It is like getting a bill from the police department after they respond to a dui you are involved in. Shouldn't the fines and court fees cover these costs if at all?

You are paid to enforce the law already through tax money - the fact that they "recover costs" proves that law enforcement is a for profit venture. "

suncloud wrote on Oct 21, 2009 1:19 PM:

" Can I make the assumption that every "DUI checkpoint" will be made well after wineries close? Thanks Napa PD, for not protecting my kids who ride a school bus during winery hours. My faith in you is restored..... Does anyone wonder why the public opinion of the PD diminishes every year? "

nhsbandmom wrote on Oct 21, 2009 2:25 PM:

" Just to clarify a few things..

Although NPD can certainly go on highways within city limits, their main "traffic" duty is to patrol the surface streets within city limits. (CHP has responsibility for the highways.) Amazingly, the agencies keep stats on DUI's and they likely had to show on their grant application the locations and times WITHIN THEIR AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY, that most call for DUI checkpoints... and will have to show that they used the funds responsibly and placed checkpoints where they would be most effective... on the surface streets NPD is responsible for patrolling.

Can we stop hatin' on NPD?? "

suncloud wrote on Oct 21, 2009 2:51 PM:

" Let me clarify my previous post. I do not like drunk drivers. However, I think its silly to have a "checkpoint" when it will do the least good, target only Napa residents, and keep the least amount of people safe. We're basically arresting people for the "futurecrime" of "you could have injured/killed someone", while making checkpoints for when the least amount of people are on the road. In the drunk driving capital of America, and the 2nd most visited place in the US (after Disneyworld), I tend to believe the PD would rather inconvenience the locals rather than dare to offend the "poor drunk driving tourist" who share the road with more targets... er... cars... er pedestrians... er children.

I don't hate the NPD, but I am offended that the majority of drunk drivers are politely ignored, since they only drive before nighttime...

As a Napa High School Mom, aren't you somewhat unhappy that your child interacts with more drunk/buzzed drivers while going to grab food for lunch than what the PD gets on the average checkpoint, or are you delighted that the PD target such times as 9pm on saturday upvalley as a means of keeping you and your family safe?

Sorry, I don't mean to be insensitive, or pick a fight, but the PD basically condoning drunk driving before 4pm bothers me. I guess I believe everyone should be held equal according to the law. Maybe I'm old fashioned though. "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Oct 21, 2009 3:20 PM:

" To suncloud,
Are you really worried about your kids riding a school bus during winery hours? School buses are like tanks and if someone hits a school bus the kids would barely feel it. I would be more concered with why the buses don't have seatbelts, that never made sense to me. I'm also more concered about people driving drunk around town, not so much about people at upvalley wineries. Think about it, theres way more drivers on the road in the small area of are city limits, compared to the drivers on the road throughout the entire valley. I'm guessing for every one driver under the influence upvalley in a 35 mile range, theres probably 20 people driving around under the influenece in the city limits of Napa in a 7 mile range. Lets keep it in the city where most the danger is, and where most the people are driving "

suncloud wrote on Oct 21, 2009 3:30 PM:

" Sorry. I didn't realize "to protect and serve" translated to "protect the wineries and their drunk guests" and "serve the locals with tickets for the same offense". My bad. "

Cowboy wrote on Oct 21, 2009 5:19 PM:

" The point here is that nabbing DUI's by any means shouldn't "cost extra". Occasional check points should be normal police work, not bait to attract more money for the department. It's become like a separate little profit center. NPD has some of the highest police salaries in the state. Playing the "grant" game is nothing but greed. "

reason-ator wrote on Oct 21, 2009 5:42 PM:

" I also don't have a problem with checkpoints ( I would prefer roving patrols ), but I too am bothered by our bankrupt (Yeah, I know) State paying city or state agencies to do the job that they're already supposed to be doing.

Not just police agencies ( actually, I'd prefer to give the money to Law Enforcement rather than funding studies for Napa or paying for AmCyn's growth ). Right now I have a problem with ALL routine State grants. Yes, I know we need to get the drunk drivers off of the road. Yes, I know it's an investment that the guilty drivers will pay back and then some. But the State isn't going to get enough to pay for the grants, are they ? And if they are, well, then that raises a whole 'nuther issue, doesn't it ?

Grants that are as routine as these should be in budgets ahead of time. Emergency grants and necessary grants are OK with me, to a point.

Anyway, as far as these specific checkpoints are concerned, I wish them success and I hope it's because nobody is driving drunk. "

blackpony wrote on Oct 21, 2009 5:47 PM:

" tiredofcomplainingnapkins: says "School buses are like tanks and if someone hits a school bus the kids would barely feel it." i hope you dont have any kids "

doscentavos wrote on Oct 21, 2009 6:23 PM:

" reasonator-
How is ANYONE paying for AmCan's growth? I've lived here for 20 years and we (residents) have paid for almost all our entire growth, support etc. "

napan1961 wrote on Oct 21, 2009 8:10 PM:

" Suncloud... you can't just make up statistics and then expect us to give anything that you say credibility. Napa is NOT the drunk driving capitol of America... and Napa comes nowhere close to being the 2nd most visited place next to DisneyWorld. That is just nonsense. "

Talking About wrote on Oct 21, 2009 9:15 PM:

" Suncloud - I believe "futurecrime" in police terms is called "CRIME PREVENTION" and the police are doing just that - trying to prevent people from drinking and driving within the city limits of Napa by holding advertised checkpoints. Has anyone ever seen how many cops it takes to do a checkpoint? A lot. So, let's not take away the few police we have on the streets patrolling to do this checkpoint. Let's go for this grant money to be able to hire extra cops to come in and work PREVENTION. Go Napa PD, get those drunks off our city streets! Also, thank you CHP for working DUI on the highways. Oh, I agree about needing seat belts on the buses. "

hawkeye wrote on Oct 21, 2009 10:41 PM:

" Well, the checkpoints do seem to be quite a waste as far as nabbing DUI's. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the NVR sometimes publish the results of the DUI checkpoints from time to time? It seems they catch way more unlicensed drivers than they do DUI's. I'm all for getting unlicensed drivers off the road, but roving patrols seem more successful for DUI than checkpoints. One of the problems I have with checkpoints is the sign before the checkpoint allowing drivers to turn around. But the low success rate of checkpoints should alert the PD to make some changes in their game plan in the fight against DUI. Or just call the checkpoint something other than a DUI checkpoint. There must be a better way to catch DUI drivers. "

reason-ator wrote on Oct 21, 2009 11:24 PM:

" sorry, doscentavos.

I was just thinking that everytime I saw a story about a new AmCYn project, there was always a paragraph something like "this project was funded ( at least ) partially by a grant from...."

But hey, at least AmCYn can take care of the maintenance of main street. Oh, wait, that's CalTrans. But I just saw an article about pedestrian improvements. And something about a grant to fund the study. Or was that the pedestrian trail ? Or the methane power plant ? I forget. There's so many...... "

IamBobby wrote on Oct 22, 2009 4:53 AM:

" If the Napa Police Department's primary concern is to patrol the streets of Napa and leave Highway 29 to the CHP, why do the motor cycle cops always run speed traps on 29 in the afternoons on the south side of Imola? Another spot they like to hide is under the Trancas overpass on the North bound side of 29. They also wait at Sierra Ave to get you in the 60MPH to 50MPH decrease; almost entrapment, I'd say. And if they are not in those twp spots... Well they are at Peet's drinking coffee for 40 minutes at a time. Come on Officer Urbano and Officer Lee, I see you there all the time!

No friends. Don't be fooled. The Napa PD is out to target illegal aliens and drivers without licences, not DUI drivers at these so called checkpoints. If the NPD was truly interested in setting up DUI check points, they would run a checkpoint on 29 southbound at Wine Country Ave around 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

But when will that ever happen? I can't even get NPD to patrol my neighborhood after several complaint phone calls about speeders and stop sign runners in my North Napa neighborhood.

Don't even get me started on the granted money issue! What a load of dung! "

IamBobby wrote on Oct 22, 2009 4:57 AM:

" And suncloud...

Napa doesn't even make the top 25 most visited destination in America with a quick search on Google... "

Cowboy wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:04 AM:

" Has anyone considered the common sense fact that DUI checkpoints should pay for themselves...??? If there aren't enough drunks on the road, why try to justify checkpoints with a grant...??? "

So It Goes wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:38 AM:

" I like check points in the city limits. Let the CHP do their own on the highways.

Hey, if they’re not too drunk to read the “check point” sign, then let them turn around.
If they can’t read it, oh well…maybe there is a problem with the driver.

These type of check points should also relieve some of the profiling criticisms, “You’re just picking on me because I’m driving this kind of car or I’ve got this color skin, etc.”

If you’re driving under the influence or don’t have a license…I don’t care what nationality, skin color, or socioeconomic back ground you come from.
Get Them And Their Cars Off The STREET. Whoever "They" are.

The Napa PD would be the first one to be criticized if there was an accident and there were NO Prevention programs being practiced.
Thank you Napa PD. "

amazed wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:41 AM:

" I don't care who feels "targeted" by DUI checkpoints, locals or tourists, Hispanics or Caucasians, winery owner or blue collar working guy. If you're drinking, or if you're unlicensed/uninsured/unregistered, don't drive. What's so complicated? The fact that Napa can net some extra money to do more -- well, that makes it all the better. "

MP wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:42 AM:

" I found Napa Valley listed as the #2 most visited tourist location in CA, behind Disneyland. "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:49 AM:

" TO iambobby,
The area on the highway between Imola and Trower are in the city limits, and thats why the city police patrol that area. Highway patrol is used more for the areas that city cops don't patrol, which is the highway upvalley. And why can't they go to Peets to drink coffee, In are great country every job is required to give their employees a lunch break, this isn't communist China. I'd rather they take a break then work straight threw, Their was a highway patrol officer that killed two bicyclists near San Fran about a year ago because he was overworked and fell asleep at the wheel. The NPD should be targeting Illegals and unlicensed drivers because those people are breaking the law and more than likely driving without insurance which is a huge risk to all drivers. "

love-napa-valley wrote on Oct 22, 2009 10:01 AM:

" IamBobby: I agree with you, is not DUI is money revenue, why? because you know how much money does the NPD makes when getting from a unlicensed like 1500.00 including ticket, and mostly is just people working so hard to get that money, I Know they should have license but they don't so they are a good target to make money from government therefore government keep them unlicensed. This is so complicated to discuss, but; in the meantime people find solutions to avoid those called " DUI's Checkpoints" jejeje good luck everybody. "

twocentsguy wrote on Oct 22, 2009 10:48 AM:

" Leave the wineries and tourists alone. I for one, drink with the tourists, then follow them back in to Napa. I'm safe until I get into town. "

Joe wrote on Oct 22, 2009 10:57 AM:

" Suncloud, What makes you think that so many people visiting these wineries are getting drunk? Many people are responsible and don't drink to get drunk, or if they do they have a sober driver. I hardly ever hear about accidents that involve tourists who left a winery and drove drunk. "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Oct 22, 2009 11:06 AM:

" To love-napa-valley,
Most people who don't have a license also don't have insurance. I want those people off the road no matter what the reason. If you don't have a license, then you don't drive. More than likely these people don't have a license because they did something dangerous or stupid to get there license taken away the first time, I don't want those people on the road with me. Also if you live and work in Napa you can get by without driving. We have great affordable public buses, not to mention everything in the city limits is close enough to bike too. I have no remorse for people who get caught driving without a license and they should pay the maximum penalty each time "

IamBobby wrote on Oct 22, 2009 2:13 PM:

" TOCN:

They spend the morning at Peet's then take a lunch later in the day...

That means that they just got on shift around 8am and then they park their bikes at Peet's for 40 minutes at a time. Seeing how the taxes that we pay to the state, county, city etc.. They are on our time wasting our money. And if you would have READ the enitre comment I made you would realize that the area between Imola and HWY 12 to Sonoma is not City Limits... What now?

I never said anything about Communist China! I merely asked that they do their job in a timely manner! Please do not take my words and twist them for your benefit. "

IamBobby wrote on Oct 22, 2009 2:20 PM:

" MP:

That is nice... I said AMERICA! Napa is not in the top 25 destinations in AMERICA...

sheesh... word twisters... the both of you!

twocentsguy:

Nice... what time do you drive south on 29 and what kind of car are you driving so I can be sure not to be near you on the road!

Joe:

I used to work in the wine industry in a tasting room... most people that taste in a tasting room have about 4 oz of wine per stop. Most visitors taste in about 4-5 tasting rooms.... I have only seen one person ever spit! So 4-5 tasting rooms x 4oz =16-20oz of wine... that would be a DUI in any county...

Thanks for thinking that people are responsible... but mostly NOT! "

Joe wrote on Oct 22, 2009 2:34 PM:

" IamBobby,
How do you know all these people that are drinking are going to other wineries and drinking as well, or even driving for that matter? They could have a driver waiting outside for them.
The numbers don't back up that there's tourists' out there getting drunk and driving from wineries. The facts do back up that illigals with no licenses have been driving drunk and crashing into people. "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Oct 22, 2009 2:58 PM:

" To Iambobby,
You said they catch people between trancas and sierra ave, THAT IS IN CITY LIMITS, What now? And between Imola and 12 might still be in city limits, i'll have to check on that. Also how do you know those officers don't come in at 4 in the morning when the shift change happends, partol in there cars for 4 hours, then trade in the patrol cars for bikes at 8? Thats 4 hours of work, about time for a lunch break. Or how do you know they don't take there break at the beginning of the shift then work 8 hours straight through? Do you personally know the schedules of all members of Napa PD? "

realitybites wrote on Oct 22, 2009 3:59 PM:

" The county makes some crazy amount 6-9 thousand a day just of DUI arrests- but that's not enough - they need grant money too, while our poor remain unfed, unhoused and without health care.

Those who would sacrifice personal liberty for the sake of a little security deserve neither - Ben Franlin.

The checkpoints and DUI arrests in this county are to catch locals, which includes the hispanic population. You are impaired after one drink - look it up, your reaction time, thinking and vision are not the same as if you had no alcohol in your system. Technically, your "impaired" after one simple wine tasting. The vast majority of tourists drive from tasting to tasting. It's pretty obvious that if law enforcement was serious about "safety" or "prevention" - they would set up a DUI checkpoint on 29 between Yountville and Calistoga on Sat afternoon. Selective enforcement and waste of tax dollars is what this all means to me. "

twocentsguy wrote on Oct 22, 2009 4:23 PM:

" To: Iambobby" It's a white car, you can't miss me...I swerve alot but feel safe cause it's an SUV and I have a "I support local Law Enforcement" bumper sticker as well as another one which says "My child is an Honor Student" and "Say No to drugs". I drive only in heavy commutes. Wave hello sometime!
Brrrrp... "

dsty20 wrote on Oct 22, 2009 6:14 PM:

" these checkpoints are a dishonest way for npd and chp to make money off locals and the poor "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:11 PM:

" To dsty20,
If the poor and locals aren't doing anything wrong then the npd and chp can't make any money. The only dishonest thing here is the people driving under the influence or with suspended licenses. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, what has happend to it? Don't do crime, dont do time, ITS THAT SIMPLE! "

IamBobby wrote on Oct 23, 2009 9:42 AM:

" TOCN:

There is no point for me to argue your point of view, for it is clearly the more correct one.

I have spoken to Officer Urbano and Officer Lee... Their shifts start around 8am. They work in tandem together. I see them frequently at Peet's Coffee for looooong coffee breaks.

twocentsguy:

What an antagonistic approach!? I am surprised that NVR allows such negative remarks as your comments are derogatory in nature. You are basically saying that you drive home drunk in heavy commutes. That is a fantastic attitude.

Joe:

The numbers don't' support tourists being caught drunk driving because they get a free pass to drive drunk during business hours. Most people visiting the wine country drive themselves around and do not use drivers. Just because there is no show of L.E. on 29 in the day time (business hours) does not mean that they are not out there drunk driving. And yes, they do visit more than one tasting room in a day. It is silly to think that some guy would drive all the up from San Jose to taste wine at one winery and then go home. That's like saying I went to Great America yesterday, but I only rode one roller coaster! Absurd at best!

And as I type these words to the 3 of you I am reminded why I rarely make posts anymore... It is frustrating try to get a point across to most of you...

"

36213621dp wrote on Oct 31, 2009 7:35 AM:

" What a waste of resources!! Hope Napa PD enjoys the overtime pay that this grant will provide. "

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