(Dec 31 2008) - Porterville Police Dept - Press Release
by Sgt. Larry Rodriguez - Porterville Police Dept :
On Wednesday, December 31st, 2008, New Year’s Eve, the traffic unit of the Porterville Police Department conducted two sobriety checkpoints along with a saturation patrol detail.
The first checkpoint was located on Olive Avenue east of Indiana Street and was in operation from 8:00 p.m., to 10:30 p.m. A total of 376 vehicles passed through this checkpoint and two arrests were made. Though no arrests were made for driving under the influence, one driver was arrested for a Health and Safety code violation and another was arrested for outstanding warrants on prior drunk driving arrests. Five other citations were issued and 4 vehicles were towed as the drivers were unlicensed.
The second checkpoint was set up on Henderson Avenue west of Indiana Street and started at 11:00 p.m., concluding at 2:00 a.m. A total of 232 vehicles passed through this checkpoint and one driver was arrested for driving under the influence. An additional arrest was made for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Two other citations were issued and 2 vehicles were towed.
A saturation patrol supplemented the checkpoints and on that detail a man was arrested for making threats on an officer and a wanted felon was arrested. Additionally, 3 citations were issued and 3 vehicles were towed.
These checkpoints and saturation patrols were made possible through a grant from the State of California, Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Porterville Police Department has partnered with all other Tulare County law enforcement agencies in an “Avoid the 11” program targeting the problem of the drinking driver.
Sergeant Bob Blankenship
