I'm Pissed - Public Info on Police Checkpoints

**10-42Adam** · 11-26-08, 08:34 AM

So I'm in my car yesterday listening to the radio when a news ad comes on and states "Watch News blah blah blah at 5 and learn where all the police checkpoints will be in Delaware this upcoming holiday!"

This pisses me off and I'll tell you why.

I feel as though police checkpoint locations should not be public information nor advertised. This obviously gives drunk drivers an opportunity to avoid these locations and continue driving on while putting everyone else on the road in danger.

Not only do news stations broadcast where they are, but there is even a website that is devoted to letting everyone know, also. Furthermore, if you sign up for this website and provide them with your cell phone number they will text you with all the locations as they hear of them in your area! This is ridiculous. The website is http://nocheckpoints.com/ and is still growing, but seems to have a big following from my home state, as most of the "recent checkpoint locations" are out of DE. Not sure why this is, though. Maybe just because its such a small state.

I think police checkpoints are great. Not only do they get drunk drivers off the road, but they also help capture local fugitives, and other arrests are made such as drug offenses, underage consumption, etc.

I'm passionate about getting drunk drivers off the road and that is because I had a cousin killed by one. She was struck head on by a drunk driver who crossed the center line. Her, 3 friends in the car with her, and the pathetic excuse of a man drunk, all died. Only one person survived, another friend in the car with my cousin. Today he is doing well and I saw him at a checkpoint ceremony dedicated to my cousin and the other victims of that crash last year.

I'd like to get other opinions on this issue. What do you guys think about this? Do you think there's anything I can do to possibly reverse the standards of checkpoints today? Any way I could cut off the information given to news agencies and shut that website down?

Any help would be appreciated and thanks for reading.

-Adam

**Xiphos** · 11-26-08, 09:43 AM

It's standard practice for departments to release checkpoint information in press releases.

The drunks experiencing impaired abilities will still pull up, sit in line, and wait for you to smell their breath. Don't worry!

**IndianaFuzz** · 11-26-08, 09:53 AM

Depts. should release that they will be having checkpoints, but not say where they will be other than a very general area. Make the public aware of it but keep them guessing as to where. That way you can actually have some deterrent factor. I know that some idiots will pull up to check points anyway, but it should be about maximizing effect.

**10-42Adam** · 11-26-08, 10:35 AM

I realize that even though the locations are announced that drunks still pull up and get caught. However, it's the ones who do avoid them and get away that I'm worried about. Had the checkpoint not been announced then maybe the drunk would have gotten caught. I just don't understand the reasoning behind giving the EXACT location of the checkpoint. That's like a SWAT team saying "We're going to raid 12 Long Street on November 26th at 10pm." Catch my drift?

**Xiphos** · 11-26-08, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by 10-42Adam

I realize that even though the locations are announced that drunks still pull up and get caught. However, it's the ones who do avoid them and get away that I'm worried about. Had the checkpoint not been announced then maybe the drunk would have gotten caught. I just don't understand the reasoning behind giving the EXACT location of the checkpoint. That's like a SWAT team saying "We're going to raid 12 Long Street on November 26th at 10pm." Catch my drift?

If they are smart enough, and not drunk enough, to avoid the checkpoint, they aren't going to sit in the traffic jam of a checkpoint either. I've never worked a checkpoint that didn't get a lot of drunks from it. We've also always had mobile units in the area to get the ones not going through the checkpoint.

**Bama512** · 11-26-08, 10:42 AM

Around here, they also add in a few "unannounced" checkpoints to keep people guessing. If you have lived here long enough, you pretty much know where the checkpoints are going to be. Like the others have said, tho, you still get plenty of business.

**altonc27** · 11-26-08, 10:45 AM

When I lived in CT the checkpoints were on three major roads that you basically couldnt avoid due to the many one way streets honestly I tried to avoid waiting in line by goin around. Then you have to look at the alternative drive 20 mins to avoid somethin when its a 5 min drive from where the check point is at. Many people think they are sober enough to pass lol but when you have to talk to three or four cops you still get caught.

**Twan007** · 11-26-08, 11:24 AM

"The City Police have a 'compliance checkpoint' set up for later tonight somewhere in the City"

that's about our new releases

**Morris** · 11-26-08, 11:37 AM

Ahh, checkpoints are vigorously prohibited in our lovely state unless for some compelling interest like a natural disaster. Feds can and do what they want but no checkpoints here.

**121Traffic** · 11-26-08, 11:38 AM

Here in Colorado, when we operate a CP, we have to give people an out anyway. I.Em posting a sign before you actually see the CP in order to give people a way to turn off. Is it not like that elsewhere?

**Willowdared** · 11-26-08, 12:05 PM

I guess our state law requires that the information be public, but there is never a shortage of customers.

Our law also allows officers to pull folks over for no seat belt (click-it-or-ticket) and using a cell phone while driving - so there are plenty of opportunities to arrest people.

This was interesting:

http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/l...oint_laws.html

**MacLean** · 11-26-08, 12:16 PM

Like morris said, it's illegal/ unconstitutional here.

After thinking about it, I don't have a problem with that either.

I can think of no good reason why someone should be able to be stopped "just because" when it doesn't fly for any other crime.

**adroitcuffs** · 11-26-08, 12:32 PM

It never ceases to amaze me how many get caught at the checkpoints, even though they've been so announced by the public. As PDawg said, we're required to publish that a checkpoint will be conducted, but not the location. You will never be able to prevent the general public taking advantage of modern technology and letting other potential violators know the exact location.

1042Adam, I feel your pain. I've always had strong disdain for drunk drivers - a disdain intensified when someone I loved more than I could say was killed by a drunk driver. The reality is that all we can do is our best in enforcement, as well as educating others and setting the example.

**jmur5074** · 11-26-08, 05:39 PM

They're illegal here too.

So Adam, at least you guys in DE can DO checkpoints.....quit yer belly achin'.

**IndianaFuzz** · 11-26-08, 09:07 PM

If we were doing a checkpoint, I'd want to be the officer stationed just a couple blocks away from it. Then I could be the one that pulls over all the people that turn around because of the checkpoint. That's an easier way to catch drunks than the checkpoint itself.

Heck, for those in states where checkpoints are illegal, make it look like you are running one, with signs announcing it and all, then just pay attention to those who turn around to avoid the supposed checkpoint. As long as you aren't actually stopping people at your "checkpoint" you are good to go. I bet you'd get a lot of drunks with your fake checkpoint.

**jmur5074** · 11-26-08, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by IndianaFuzz

Heck, for those in states where checkpoints are illegal, make it look like you are running one, with signs announcing it and all, then just pay attention to those who turn around to avoid the supposed checkpoint. As long as you aren't actually stopping people at your "checkpoint" you are good to go. I bet you'd get a lot of drunks with your fake checkpoint.

Uhh...yeah that wouldn't work. At all.

Stopping a car for avoiding a checkpoint/fake checkpoint you should have never set up in the first place?

"Fruits of the poisonous tree" comes to my mind.

**MacLean** · 11-26-08, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by IndianaFuzz

If we were doing a checkpoint, I'd want to be the officer stationed just a couple blocks away from it. Then I could be the one that pulls over all the people that turn around because of the checkpoint. That's an easier way to catch drunks than the checkpoint itself.

Heck, for those in states where checkpoints are illegal, make it look like you are running one, with signs announcing it and all, then just pay attention to those who turn around to avoid the supposed checkpoint. As long as you aren't actually stopping people at your "checkpoint" you are good to go. I bet you'd get a lot of drunks with your fake checkpoint.

Ah, no.

The little issue of swearing to uphold the constitution of my State thing gets in the way.

**TXCharlie** · 11-26-08, 09:38 PM

Some cops told me that Plano put up one a few years on US 75, and they put up a large sign "CHECKPOINT AHEAD" right before an exit to a little county road.

Well, it was true, the checkpoint was ahead alright - but it was on the county road right around a blind curve, not on US 75 - Dopers and drunks would see the sign, peel off the exit, and then get caught in the real checkpoint. There was no escape because of bar ditches on both side of the road.

Supposedly they even stopped an 18-wheeler carrying dope. When the driver couldn't explain why he turned off the exit, they hooked him up for some little charge like driving a truck on a road off-limit to trucks, which then led to the requisite Inventory Search

I've never actually seen a checkpoint in twenty years, though.

**Jenna** · 11-26-08, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by TXCharlie

Some cops told me that Plano put up one a few years on US 75, and they put up a large sign "CHECKPOINT AHEAD" right before an exit to a little county road.

Well, it was true, the checkpoint was ahead alright - but it was on the county road right around a blind curve, not on US 75 - Dopers and drunks would see the sign, peel off the exit, and then get caught in the real checkpoint. There was no escape because of bar ditches on both side of the road.

Actually couldn't one always say that there is a checkpoint ahead and be technically correct, as long as the sign doesn't specify just how far ahead--like if there is a checkpoint 500 miles ahead, wouldn't that count too?

**Pinki** · 11-26-08, 10:08 PM

I dont know if they publish it here (I've never seen it or heard it but I rarely listen to the radio and I dont read the paper anymore and I dont have TV reception,

), but in my area there are license/registration checks always in the same spot, on the cut through I use to get to and from town/work. There have been 4 there in the last two years (I only remember the number because I'm armed now and I have to tell them). It bothers me to see the people start turning around to go another way....