If you're planning to hit the town in Chicago's 18th (Near North) District this weekend, be prepared for a heightened police presence. According to an announcement from the Chicago Police Department, there will be a DUI Saturation Patrol taking place from 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2024, until 2 a.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2024. The enforcement crackdown is not just about catching drunk drivers; it will also focus on other traffic offenses like speeding, seat belt violations, and the proper use of child restraint devices.
The Chicago PD's strategy is to flood the designated area with patrol officers on the lookout for any signs of impaired driving, they'll also be zeroing in on speeding and other vehicular offenses, potentially using speed detection equipment to corral those pressing too hard on the pedal with a convivial disregard for the rules set to protect the public from the rampancy of unshackled abandon. Additionally, the Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) Mobile Unit could be deployed, which conveniently allows officers to charge individuals on-site and issue Individual Recognizance Bonds (I-Bonds).
Recent results from a similar patrol in the 3rd (Grand Crossing) District on July 13-14, 2024, paint a picture of the enforcement you might expect: 39 total citations with violations spanning from unsafe vehicles to driving without a license - and yet, surprisingly zero DUI or open liquor violations are reported, it’s a tally sheet that reflects a peculiar disconnect between the operation's title and its demonstrable outcomes.
This weekend's DUI Saturation Patrol follows a pattern of law enforcement activity aimed at curbing dangerous driving behaviors and ensuring traffic safety, however, its effectiveness in reducing DUIs specifically remains to be seen, given the zero count from the recent weekend operation in the 3rd District, which Chicago PD's report detailed with a straightforward enumeration of violations caught in their net, ranging from a lone case of license suspension to a couple of speed demons.
