5 DWI arrests at Independence checkpoint

From Independence PD: The Independence Police Traffic Safety Unit conducted a sobriety checkpoint along eastbound US 24 Highway at Cogan Road.  The operation began on Saturday 9/8/07 at 11:30 PM and ended on Sunday 9/9/07 at 3:30 AM. The checkpoint was staffed by (18) officers. During the four hours of operation (251) cars were checked with the following arrest results: DWI-5, No Valid Driver License-5, Drug Violation-1, Warrant Arrests-4.

Comments

[Marvin]

So, even broadening the scope of these checkpoints to general "papers, please" checks of citizens, all they've proven is that 19/20 drivers at that time of night are legitimate and shouldn't be harassed by law enforcement.

[mike]

They've also proved that 1 out of 20 had the potential to kill someone.

[Searching]

Dang Mike.. what country are you from..

[rhonda]

No, mike, an arrest doesn't prove anthing. Courts of law do that.

[rhonda]

anything, that is.

[JDog]

Wow Mike, I didn't know "No Valid Drivers License" and "warrants" killed!
My math says 2 out of 100.

With this kind or results we should post two police officers at every household. Then we could eliminate burglaries, domestic violence, meth labs, etc.

A crime free society at last.

[milwolf]

Only 2% for all this $$$$$$!!

Rhonda , you are right,, Innocent until proven guilty, but the sobriety checkpoint Nazis do no see it that way!!!

[mike]

I'm not going to say anymore ... just go back and look at the last seventeen times this argument has been hashed out on this forum if you're curious about getting any further details.

[JDog]

Mike,
In fairness to you, I have always posted in previous DUI stories that I am TOTALLY against Drunk Driving.
However, I DO NOT believe in or advocate 'check-points' becasue there is no CAUSE.
I do believe that what we need is a strict and equal enforcement of existing laws. Like if you get a first time DUI, that goes on your record, not some Lawyer negotiated "negligent driving."

[rhonda]

mike, if you don't want to argue about this subject then don't start it.

[mike]

Mom! ... Rhonda keeps touching me ... make her stay on her side of the blog!

[Joey Stunods]

I have never understood the "let's delay and hassle everyone" method. I know it is tough to enforce keeping DUI's off the road. Maybe these checkpoints could setup outside a given place, and give them a sobriety test before they even make the street. Then they would have probable cause.

[rhonda]

That's right, mike, you just want to express your reactionary opinion and aren't interested in the opinions of others.

This was a pathetically small number of arrests to justify this checkpoint. Some day I believe the Supreme Court will revisit this issue. An exception was made for DUI checkpoints due to public safety. Due to the way they've been overused I believe that a case will be made against them some time in the future.

[mike]

Actually, you're opinion really matters to me ... all 14,674 times you've expressed it in the past. Just looking to save you some time this go round. Here are just a few former threads where this territory has been regurgitated:

http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2007/08/overland-park-4.html

http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2006/08/northland_dui_t.html

http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2006/02/spring_in_the_a.html

http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2006/03/young_man_flees.html#comments

Ok - that's just a little sample. I'm starting to think that someone in the police department isn't paying attention to all the hubub in here! I mean really ... going over this over and over in an internet blog is just so pointless. Much more productive to go the old-fashioned route and write a letter to your congress if you are dissatisfied.

[Lt. Dangle]

I know, the cops should start doing sobriety shakedowns at QT. This would save the cops the hassle of putting down their magazines and free soda.