Nine arrested at Sept. 26 sobriety checkpoint

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Nevada Daily Mail

The Nevada Police Department in cooperation with personnel from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Joplin Police Department, Jasper County Sheriff's Office, Vernon County Sheriff's Office, and Missouri State Highway Patrol conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Sept. 26 at the intersection of U.S. Highway 54 and Business 71.

During the operation officers contacted 785 vehicles that passed through the checkpoint. Officers identified and took enforcement action on 40 law violations including four driving while intoxicated violations, six alcohol related offenses and six drivers license violations.

Officers made nine custodial arrests during the operation.

Eighty percent of the identified alcohol related offenses were committed by persons under the age of 21.

The Nevada Police Department continues to enforce a zero tolerance policy when in comes to drinking and driving.

The public is encouraged to report suspected drunk driving by contacting the Nevada Police Department at (417) 448-2710 or 911.

Driving while intoxicated remains one of the top causes of fatal car crashes in Missouri.

In 2007, 243 people in Missouri were killed in more than 7,780 alcohol-related crashes.

Enforcement efforts like this one help to take impaired drivers off the road and make travel in Missouri safer.

For more information on impaired driving, visit www.saveMOlives.com.

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I bet that no one was a councilman?

Maybe those arressted should have told the officers involved that they were or maybe planned on being one.

Justice For All but not in Vernon County!!!

-- Posted by redavid on Wed, Sep 30, 2009, at 4:22 PM
I understand what the officers were doing, but...if the real goal is to curtail or stop drunk driving, then why don't they just set up their little display across the street from the bars? Wouldn't that be more effective? Sure it would. But then people would stop going and they wouldn't be able to arrest anyone for drunk driving anymore. See, it's not about safety. It's about money.

-- Posted by mdsw8 on Wed, Sep 30, 2009, at 5:35 PM
I went through this checkpoint and they were very curtious and well mannered. I feel we need these more often but we need to have an unwarned check. I bet they would catch alot more. Good Job

-- Posted by simplenana on Wed, Sep 30, 2009, at 5:37 PM
If the law enforcement officials setup across from bars, Eagles and/or Elks that would probably be considered entrapment - that is a question for our elected Prosecuting Attorney.

I agree with you that would make more sense if they really wanted to get people under the influnces off our streets before they really hurt someone and in most cases it is the "drunk".

-- Posted by redavid on Thu, Oct 1, 2009, at 5:36 AM
I agree an unwarned check point would be more beneficial but with the technology available that is impossible. I spoke with a young adult that was out Saturday night, she said that she received several text messages about the check point. They went through with their DD and said the officers were very courteous and professional.

-- Posted by ccmom on Thu, Oct 1, 2009, at 8:01 AM
I appauld the law enforcement agencies for what they do and/or try to do. However, I do not have much faith when they do their jobs that our elected prosecuting attorney can do his job. If he feels a conflict then turn it over to another county prosector.

I believe in "Justice For All" but sometimes it does not work out that way.

Why were all of those young people arrested last year at some party outside of town. Someone wanted to try and make a point and make these young people feel like criminals. Well, we have all done things that we are not proud of but hopefully tried to not hurt someone else.

A local concilman did just the opposite, he took someone else's property and drove under the influence, but where charges ever brought about?

-- Posted by redavid on Thu, Oct 1, 2009, at 11:10 AM
I went through too, and yes they were nice but you could see it from 54 before you got in to town and could of easily by passed it. However they were not as organized as they could of been , the officer that stopped me kept my drivers liscense and so for two days i had to drive around without one, and then when i made a special trip from butler to pick it up he had taken it home with him and they had to send another on duty officer to pick it up , seems like a waste of tax dollars to me and waste of my time and gas!

-- Posted by claudeandash on Thu, Oct 1, 2009, at 12:38 PM
You say they were kind and courteous, but that's only because you weren't driving under the influence. From where I was, and I live very near that intersection, I could hear the officers screaming, yelling, and demeaning those who were found to be drinking. I understand that those arrested need to be made aware of the danger, but seeing these officers turn on these drivers was quite a sight to see. I would imagine that just the arrest itself (along with all of the subsequent fines, penalties and costs)would be enough of a shock. Either way, entrapment, sting...whatever. They are one and the same and law enforcement does this all the time. It's a political game where money is the prize. But let's just teach our kids NOT to drink and drive.

-- Posted by mdsw8 on Thu, Oct 1, 2009, at 12:59 PM
My son went through and he also reported that the officers where courteous and respectful. Thank you police officers for doing what is too often a thankless job.

-- Posted by justawife on Thu, Oct 1, 2009, at 10:46 PM
To "redavid" - All of those young people were in trouble last year because what they did was ILLEGAL. Some message had to be sent to them. With all those young people under the influence, Nevada was lucky nothing tragic happened. I don't recall them being treated as criminals, they received consequences which is what they needed in order to experience accountability in order to learn responsibility. Many of the kids involved will even tell you today that it was a stupid choice they made to take part in that. Sounds like you are upset about city council members and grasping at straws in order to prove a point.

-- Posted by redbird0708 on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 7:43 AM
I was fortunate enough to go through the checkpoint and I was very pleased with the whole setup. As a former officer, I would like to clear up somethings.

First, you can't setup a checkpoint across from a bar. It would be a waste as no one from the bar would drive away. You could accomplish the exact same idea by putting a single officer in a patrol car and have him sit in the parking lot. This would say the city money (since that is all that is important?) Also, checkpoints aren't top-secret. It takes at least 15-20 minutes to completely setup the cones, signs, patrol vehicles and get all the people in place. With technology the way it is today it's hard to keep things a surprise.

Second, the choice of intersection was perfect since they were able to check all directions of traffic, the use of the four way stop for safety and plenty of room for conducting field sobriety tests. Now, some say that they could see it from a mile away. Luckily I noticed that the city had chase vehicles. Essentially, officers in patrol cars waiting for unsuspecting checkpoint "ditchers" to make a move to a side-street or go through a parking lot. The chase cars then stop the ditchers to find if they are DWI.

Third, they had plenty of officers which keeps traffic moving fairly quick through the checkpoint allowing us non-drunks to get on our way. Thanks to MADD for moving down the line and letting us know to have our documents ready as well!

Fourth, I am 99% certain that any screaming or yelling from an officer was due to a driver or passenger being unruly, remember they are drunk. They have no reason to yell at you otherwise.

I think some of you are missing the big picture here: "Eighty percent of the identified alcohol related offenses were committed by persons under the age of 21."

Don't let your kid be part of the statistic!

Hope this helps.

-- Posted by RobertPeel on Sat, Oct 3, 2009, at 5:43 PM

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