The streets of Gresham District will be under the watchful eyes of the Chicago Police Department this upcoming weekend as they roll out a DUI Saturation Patrol from Saturday evening through early Sunday morning. Announced by the department, the operation is slated to occur from December 30, 2023, at 6 p.m., to December 31, at 2 a.m., aiming to curb impaired driving and other traffic violations.
According to the Chicago Police Department's announcement, the patrol will not only be on the lookout for DUI, but will also aggressively enforce laws related to speeding, alcohol-related offenses, and seatbelt violations. Specialist police vehicles equipped with speed detection are deployed to target speedsters, with the Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) Mobile Unit on hand to process DUI charges efficiently.
The BAT Mobile Unit serves an essential function, providing officers the capability to issue Individual Recognizance Bonds on the spot, streamlining the process for those caught in violation. This tactical deployment follows on the heels of a previous saturation patrol conducted in the Near North (18th) District just the weekend before, which unfurled its mighty arm of the law to chalk up a total of 20 citations, across various offenses, though no DUI arrests were made.
Results from the last patrol, as outlined by the department, pointed to a mix of infractions – five speed violations, two unsafe vehicle citations, and a solitary incident involving open liquor. Bolstering the tally were four insurance violations and a singular no driver's license violation. The initiative furthers the Chicago Police's commitment to preventing traffic-related mishaps and bolstering road safety standards. Vehicles towing was conspicuously absent from the last patrol's activities, signaling a focus on direct citation and enforcement.
