Drivers in the 5th District of Chicago, stay sharp this weekend. The Chicago Police Department has plans to ramp up their DUI enforcement, according to a release. Starting Friday, March 22, 6 p.m. through early Saturday, figures have to start worrying about running into DUI Saturation Patrols until 2 a.m.
The strategy? To blanket hotspot areas with enough police presence to quickly spot anyone attempting to drive under the influence. These patrols aren't just stopping at DUIs, though; they're also keen to crack down on speeders, seat belt slackers, and those skirting around insurance requirements. They've got tech on their side too, with speed detection gear to net speedsters and a Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) Mobile Unit to streamline the DUI charge process. According to the department’s website, this means less time hauling offenders to the nearest lockup and more time to keep the streets clean.
Don't think this patrol is just for show, either. Just last week, the 2nd (Wentworth) District showed these operations mean business. With zero DUIs netted, their vigilance did manage to tag 21 vehicles for being unsafe, catch 8 without insurance, and cite 4 for seat belt violations. Other infractions included suspended, revoked, or absent driver's licenses, amounting to 8 violations of that nature, and a solo instance of snagging someone without their driver's license on them.
Not to be overlooked, 17 other traffic-related penalties were issued, showing the patrols have got a wide-ranging watchful eye. Speed demons were relatively scarce, with only 2 drivers cited for pushing too hard on the gas pedal. The crackdown's thorough nature was emphasized by the sole arrest made, although no vehicles got towed in the process. All in all, 60 citations were handed out - a number that serves to remind would-be violators to think twice.
