Hollister
– The Hollister Police Department, working with the
Hollister-Gilroy California Highway Patrol, checked 589 cars Friday
night and arrested three people on suspicion of driving under the
influence in a joint effort to keep local streets safe.
Hollister – The Hollister Police Department, working with the Hollister-Gilroy California Highway Patrol, checked 589 cars Friday night and arrested three people on suspicion of driving under the influence in a joint effort to keep local streets safe.
The sobriety checkpoint, which ran from 7:40pm to midnight in the 1700 block of Airline Highway in Hollister, was implemented because fairgoers made for a busy weekend on San Benito County roads, Hollister Police Capt. Bob Brooks said. The checkpoint served two purposes: to catch those driving under the influence and to educate and remind the public to be safe, Brooks said.
“You hope that you don’t get any (DUIs),” Brooks said. “But we’re glad we got the three because they aren’t on the highway anymore.”
Brooks said many drivers thanked the Hollister Police Department for setting up the checkpoint as they passed through. Fairgoers also approached police officers Saturday to offer late thanks. Brooks thanked the CHP for their help.
Police intentionally advertised the checkpoint in part to prevent drunken driving.
“It sends a reminder that if you’re drinking and driving you’re going to get caught,” Sergeant Carlos Reynoso said.
Cesar Ruiz, 25, and Gerardo Martinez, 28, were among the three DUI arrests. Martinez was booked at the San Benito County jail and released Friday. Jail officials did not have information about Ruiz’s custodial status as of press time on Monday. California Highway Patrol officials could not be reached for information regarding the third DUI suspect arrested Friday night.
In addition to the three DUIs, officers issued citations to one man for driving without a license and to one woman for driving without a proper child safety seat for her child.
Hollister Police Officer Eric Olsen and Sergeant Reynoso conducted the checkpoint along with three CHP officers. Both CHP and Hollister Police Department patrol cars canvassed the area around the checkpoint looking for vehicles attempting to evade the search.
Many drivers go around checkpoints not to avoid a DUI, but to save time. But Friday’s checkpoint was run efficiently, Reynoso said.
“We did it without much delay,” Reynoso said. “Which is what we were hoping to do.”
Just a slight delay may help save lives.
Reynoso hopes to participate in more checkpoints, especially during the holidays, when drunken driving tends to increase. Lack of funding makes it hard for the Hollister Police Department to staff enough officers to conduct checkpoints, but they serve as important reminders.
“The hope we have is to do this every few months so it is constantly on (drunken drivers’) minds,” Reynoso said.
California ranks second in the country in alcohol-related fatalities. More than 34 percent of fatal traffic accidents caused by alcohol, according to the CHP. San Benito County DUI arrests were up to 361 in 2004 from 305 in 2001. Officials believe check points are an effective tool to combat DUIs alongside normal patrol operations.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-636-5566 ext. 335, or by e-mail at mv*********@fr***********.com.
