DUI Enforcement and Awareness Efforts

Police Department

Sobriety / Driver�s License Checkpoint Planned

On Friday, September 3rd, 2010 the El Cerrito Police Department will be
conducting a Sobriety / Driver's License Checkpoint on San Pablo Avenue
between 8:30 pm and 3:00 am. The checkpoint will be set up in the northbound
direction of San Pablo Avenue between Hill Street and Cutting Boulevard.

The El Cerrito Police Department's checkpoint is part of the Traffic Safety Unit's on-going educational and enforcement campaign. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Please designate a sober driver this Labor Day weekend and remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

Any questions or inquiries should be referred to Officer John Molica at (510) 215-4436.

El Cerrito Police Dept. Launches Program
to Combat DUI Deaths and Injuries in 2010

The El Cerrito Police Department has been awarded a new traffic safety grant for a year-long anti-DUI program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways. New enforcement measures to combat impaired driving are coming as a result of a recent $135,000 grant awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety to El Cerrito. The El Cerrito Police Department, and specifically the Traffic Safety Unit, is dedicated to keeping our streets safe through both enforcement and education.

There are far too many collisions in El Cerrito where alcohol has been a factor. One collision where a driver decided to get behind the wheel and drive after consuming an alcoholic beverage is one too many," said Sgt. Steve Bonini who supervises the Traffic Safety Unit. "It is simple; if you decide to go out for an evening of fun and drinking, assign a designated driver who will consume NO alcoholic beverages during the evening."

checkpoint

The special DUI Enforcement and Awareness grant is to assist in efforts to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and other drug related collisions. The grant activities will specifically target impaired driving offenders as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving. This will be done through the use of

DUI/driver�s license checkpoints

warrant searches and stakeouts for repeat DUI offenders

saturation patrols, and

court stings targeting DUI offenders with suspended or revoked driver licenses who get behind the wheel after leaving court.

Drunk driving is one of America�s deadliest crimes. In 2008, over 11,700 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.

Funding for the grant comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

ECPD Hosted "Avoid the 25" Award Ceremony on June 22, 2010
The 2009 Office of Traffic Safety/Mother�s Against Drunk Driving "Avoid the 25" award ceremony for Contra Costa County was held on Tuesday June 22nd, at the Mira Vista Country Club.

Six ECPD officers received "Avoid the 25" Awards from the Office of Traffic Safety. Those Officers are; Sergeant Shawn Maples, Officer John-Tracy Wahrlich, Officer Bailey Thepkaysone, Officer Paul Cooper, Officer Mario Guzman, and Officer Mike Hernandez. These six Officers made 71 Driving Under the Influence (DUI)arrests during December, and saved countless lives during the month.

This was the first year Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD) presented awards as well. The "Avoid the 25" is closely involved with MADD and the California Office of Traffic Safety. Through the guiding actions of these organizations, the "Avoid" campaigns are made possible in every County within the State. MADD presented awards to Officers with 25 or more DUI arrests. ECPD Officers John-Tracy Wahrlich and Bailey Thepkaysone qualified for this 1st annual award. MADD has an additional category, recognizing supervisors and their abilities to lead and focus Officers toward DUI enforcement. Sergeant Shawn Maples received the Supervisor�s Award for his dedicated efforts.

"We are proud of our officers for their efforts. Unfortunately, their high level of enforcement is a clear indication that Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs is still a prominent issue in our society," said Lieutenant Steve Bonini.