According to the Chicago Police Department, a DUI Saturation Patrol will take place in the 12th (Near West) District this weekend, starting tomorrow, September 22, at 6 p.m., and ending on Saturday, September 23, at 2 a.m. This initiative, which targets impaired driving and other traffic violations, reflects a commitment by law enforcement to improve public safety on Chicago roads.
The stated purpose of such patrols is to saturate a designated area with roving police officers, who then monitor vehicular traffic for signs of impaired driving. Additionally, the patrols place emphasis on speed, alcohol-related, and safety belt violations. To apprehend speeding violators, police officers deploy vehicles equipped for speed detection.
During the operation, the Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) Mobile Unit may be deployed, allowing officers to expedite the process of charging those impaired drivers with Driving under the Influence (DUI). With the BAT Mobile Unit on site, it becomes possible for Individual Recognizance Bonds (I-Bonds) to be issued at the location of the DUI Saturation Patrol, making the process more efficient and streamlined.
The most recent patrol in the 6th (Gresham) District, which took place on September 16-17, 2023, resulted in a total of 20 citations, including offenses such as vehicle violations, insurance violations, and license-related violations. However, notable is the fact that no DUIs and other alcohol-related citations were issued during the patrol.
