In a decisive move on the 4th of July weekend, Constable Mark Herman's deputies embarked on an initiative targeting impaired drivers, culminating in the arrest of 31 individuals suspected of drunk driving within Precinct 4's limits. According to a Facebook post by the Constable's office, these arrests were made following traffic stops where signs of intoxication were evident.
The initiative proved to be more than a mere checkpoint for those driving under the influence. It was a comprehensive campaign aiming to lower crime and prevent potentially fatal incidents on the road; during this period, deputies also nabbed three individuals for unrelated offenses—fortifying the office's stance on proactive law enforcement. Field Sobriety Tests confirmed the suspicions of intoxication among the apprehended.
In what highlights the gravity of operating a vehicle while impaired, several defendants faced heightened charges due to prior convictions. Tazia Dukes, Christopher Gillyard, and Heythel Kanashiro were each charged with a third DWI offense, whereas Asia Johnson, Kenneth Titus, and Abraham Zamarron faced their second offense. Other serious infractions recorded included felony evading and tampering with evidence by Rolando Cedillo, Cesar Chavez being brought up on charges for Racing on the Highway, and Aaron Lawrence for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
Constable Herman's office sees these arrests as preemptive strikes on tragedy, with Herman himself stating, "We don’t wait for tragedy to strike—we prevent it. These 31 arrests are 31 lives potentially saved, and we’ll keep doing the work to protect our community," emphasizing the importance of their campaign. In an effort to extend their outreach and transparency, the office encourages the public to follow them on social media and download their new mobile application “C4 NOW,” which provides updates on crimes, arrests, and traffic accidents locally.
