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Updated: 11:26 AM Sep 7, 2010
Police Target Drunk Drivers
The three-day weekend means more people on the streets and more alcohol being served.
Posted: 10:12 PM Sep 4, 2010Reporter: Chip Brewster Email Address: Chip.Brewster@wifr.com |
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12 Comments 
ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- The extended weekend means extended drinking hours for many in the Stateline and police know this all too well.
It's common for our various police forces to head into a holiday weekend with more patrols and more focus on our roadways and Labor Day 2010 is no exception.
State, county and local police forces are gearing up for tonight. Sergeant Stephen Depauw with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department says the extended weekend, large festival and good weather are a combination for increased drunk drivers throughout the county.
The sheriff's department is deploying a unit with the sole task of handling DUI's which is one of their biggest concerns during the holidays. Plus with On The Waterfront it's not just the roads they're focusing on.
"We've brought in extra people to address the issues that are presented because of On The Waterfront. We have our boat out on the water to make sure that any issues on the river will be taken care of," said Depauw.
The Beloit Police Department actually received a $23,000 grant from the state of Wisconsin to specifically crack-down on drunk drivers. Just another effort to keep our roads safe during the holidays.
Latest Comments
First of all, I would like to say that I totally agree with Me! and Ed! How could a person be against a road block to get drunks off the road? The only thing I could think of is that you have something to hide! Do you drink and drive, not have a valid drivers liscense, no insurance, do drugs, not wear a seat belt, don't properly restrain your children??? What is it? I can say that I could pass a road side safety check, so what is the big deal Duane? I can only assume that you have had cash grabbed from you! I bet if you had a family member killed by a drunk driver, you would change your views... And another thing, how do you know that the drunk they cought wasn't on their way to commit a "higher fruit crime?" Taking drunks off the road IS serving and protecting! Lots of domestic batteries and other crimes are committed by drunk people.
you will never find the anser to your problems in the bottom of a bottle.they need to set of checks at alot more places maybe near bars and other drunk hang outs.
Ignorance is preventable Duane by researching before you comment. I'm not attacking you in any way because I respect everyone's views. But, really? Please research where the money goes because you will be very surprised. Also, I highly recommend sitting in on an autopsy and doing a ride along with any department of your choice. When you see what Troopers, Deputies, and Officers deal with on a daily basis, you'll be blown away. When DUI patrols are stepped up for a certain weekend, they bring in extra squads so that patrols are the same for neighborhoods. Nothing changes except people get pulled off the street before they kill someone. If you can honestly tell me that something is wrong with that, well, then I've lost respect for you as a citizen of Winnebago County because of ignorance. Please research....
