Halt!
Police trying to put a stop to DWI with checkpoints; Two arrested in weekend sobriety checks

Gallup Police Captain Richard Perez checks a driver's license at a recent DWI checkpoint on Allen Rd. Police agencies are stepping up checkpoint activity for the Labor Day holiday. [Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

[Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent]

GALLUP — Gallup police officers arrested two alleged drunken drivers this weekend, as part of the department's participation in the nationwide "You Drink, You Drive, You Lose" campaign Aug. 19 through Sept. 5.

Detective Erin Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the department, said officers opted to "saturate" specific areas within the community to locate drunken drivers rather than the initial plan to establish checkpoints due to rainy weather conditions over the weekend.

"It's like a moving road block," Toadlena-Pablo said of the operation that targets areas where a high rate of alcohol-related accidents usually occur.

In addition to the two drunken driving arrests, officers issued 33 citations, including a bench warrant arrest and a citation to an individual with an open container of alcohol found inside the vehicle.

Law enforcement agencies are requested to adhere to eight guidelines when establishing DWI checkpoints or roadblocks.

The New Mexico Court of Appeals recommended checkpoints be coordinated by supervisory law enforcement personnel, conducted in a safe manner, conducted at a reasonable location and during reasonable hours at a location where the "official nature" of the roadblock is apparent through appropriate signage.

Another guideline states officers should use a specific formula, such as stopping every third vehicle, when deciding which vehicles and drivers to inspect.

"For a valid roadblock, it is important that the discretion of field officers be restricted," the case law reads. "Automobiles should not be stopped randomly."

A "reasonable location" for a checkpoint should not be intended to target a specific race or group of people, according to the court of appeals. The length of time a motorist is detained at a roadblock should also be minimized to reduce traffic congestion.

Advance publicity is also recommended prior to the day of the checkpoint. The Gallup Police Department regularly contacts area media in advance of its checkpoints and keeps a copy of the particular article announcing the checkpoint, in case its operations are questioned, Capt. John Allen said.

"The deterrence value of any roadblock and its reasonableness for sobriety checks will be enhanced if given widespread advance publicity," the case law reads. It is the department's policy to not announce the location of its check points; however, neighboring departments, such as Grants, announces both the times and locations of their roadblocks.