Sobriety Checkpoint Nets 2 Drunk Drivers
HOLLISTER— The Hollister Police Department in cooperation with the California Highway Patrol set up a Sobriety checkpoint in Hollister at the corner of San Felipe Road and Gateway Drive.
Arrested for driving under the influence were James Mitchell Cadei, 27, of Hollister who was arrested during the saturation period prior to the checkpoint starting and Patricia Maria Barraza, 46, also of Hollister who was arrested when she drove into the checkpoint.
“We send officers to classes to help them develop advance ways to detect more people that are driving under the influence. Hollister Police Chief Dave Westrick said. “We like to use them in checkpoints like this one to help keep our community safer.”
Authorities also cited 17 other individuals for driving without a license and five others received citations for other miscellaneous traffic violations. By publicizing these enforcement and educational efforts the agencies believe that motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving.
“This is our first collaborative effort with the CHP in producing a sobriety checkpoint,” Westrick added. “We are in talks with them to help patrol our area school.”
Over 630 vehicles were stopped during the checkpoint. The CHP participated by having additional officers patrol the surrounding areas of the checkpoint. The Labor Day Holiday traditionally sees an increased amount of people driving over the course of the weekend.
Every year members of the Hollister community are either injured or killed on local roadways by someone who has been driving while under the influence. This checkpoint was an effort to reduce these tragedies.
“There has been a real push from OTS to help with the detection of drivers who are under the influence of drugs,” Westrick said.
The Hollister Police Department is being looked at to receive the “Avoid Grant” from the Office of Transportation Safety. With this grant the Hollister Police Department will be able to produce more collaborations with other agencies.
Funding for these DUI checkpoints was provided to the Hollister Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Read More:
Gilroy Dispatch: HPD to Set Up DUI Checkpoint for Holiday Weekend
