Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office to Hold Sobriety Checkpoint in Dulles South Area (Reston: credit, live)

[New Town Neighbor]

From the Loudoun Alert system:

"Loudoun County, Virginia- The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a sobriety checkpoint in the Dulles South area. The ultimate goal of the sobriety checkpoint is to ensure the roads are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary compliance with the drinking and driving laws.

The sobriety checkpoint will be held Saturday, July 18, 2009, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. The Sheriff’s Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving.

Members of the Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary Unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD will assist with the checkpoint."

[SteelCityRising]

Wonderful news! While I myself often cruise by at 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit I can not think of a single excuse that would justify risking not only your own life but the lives of others around you by driving while intoxicated.

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Wonderful news! While I myself often cruise by at 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit I can not think of a single excuse that would justify risking not only your own life but the lives of others around you by driving while intoxicated.

I agree...

I also think the LCPD need to be more discreet about future sobriety checkpoints. Maybe this is a PR stunt; just letting the Community "hey were still here." In addition, the County Police are probably trying to justify their existance. Nothing wrong with both senarios either. A show of force is always a good thing.

I still stand on my opinion that there's too many police pulling over innocent drivers for minor violations in Fairfax. I mean, disobeying a traffic sign is the bigges BS charge on the planet. See, there's too many cops, and not enough action. Fairfax traffic cops have stooped to such a low level, they're getting an adrenaline rush out of stopping old laides for disobeying a traffic device. Too Agressive? Yes

[cville<>centerville]

Yes, this is a wonderful allocation of resources (heavy sarcasm). Lets see how similar checkpoints in Fairfax have done (credit to VAPerson on reddit for the sources):

427 people stopped, 2 DWI Sobriety Checkpoint Results*- Fairfax County, Virginia
792 people harassed, 2 DWI arrests Sobriety Checkpoint Results in Reston Police District*- Fairfax County, Virginia
537 people harassed, one DWI arrest Sobriety Checkpoint Results in McLean Police District*- Fairfax County, Virginia
849 people harassed, one DWI arrest Sobriety Checkpoint Results in Mount Vernon Police District*- Fairfax County, Virginia
735 people harassed, 2 DWI arrests Sobriety Checkpoint Results in Mount Vernon Police District*- Fairfax County, Virginia


3340 people illegally searched, 8 ticketed for DUI. Lets stop pretending this is a safety check, and call it what it really is .. a revenue generating way to violate constitutional protection from illegal search and seizure. These are eerily similar to the "seatbelt checkpoints" that are also another excuse to violate constitutional rights. MADD is an utter disgrace and a perfect example of a special interest having a detrimental influence on public policy.

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by cville<>centerville

Yes, this is a wonderful allocation of resources (heavy sarcasm). Lets see how similar checkpoints in Fairfax have done (credit to VAPerson on reddit for the sources):

427 people stopped, 2 DWI Sobriety Checkpoint Results*- Fairfax County, Virginia
792 people harassed, 2 DWI arrests Sobriety Checkpoint Results in Reston Police District*- Fairfax County, Virginia
537 people harassed, one DWI arrest Sobriety Checkpoint Results in McLean Police District*- Fairfax County, Virginia
849 people harassed, one DWI arrest Sobriety Checkpoint Results in Mount Vernon Police District*- Fairfax County, Virginia
735 people harassed, 2 DWI arrests Sobriety Checkpoint Results in Mount Vernon Police District*- Fairfax County, Virginia


3340 people illegally searched, 8 ticketed for DUI. Lets stop pretending this is a safety check, and call it what it really is .. a revenue generating way to violate constitutional protection from illegal search and seizure. These are eerily similar to the "seatbelt checkpoints" that are also another excuse to violate constitutional rights. MADD is an utter disgrace and a perfect example of a special interest having a detrimental influence on public policy.

That is ALARMING...... Wow

[car54]

Originally Posted by cville<>centerville

Yes, this is a wonderful allocation of resources (heavy sarcasm). Lets see how similar checkpoints in Fairfax have done (credit to VAPerson on reddit for the sources):

427 people stopped, 2 DWI Sobriety Checkpoint Results*- Fairfax County, Virginia
792 people harassed, 2 DWI arrests Sobriety Checkpoint Results in Reston Police District*- Fairfax County, Virginia
537 people harassed, one DWI arrest Sobriety Checkpoint Results in McLean Police District*- Fairfax County, Virginia
849 people harassed, one DWI arrest Sobriety Checkpoint Results in Mount Vernon Police District*- Fairfax County, Virginia
735 people harassed, 2 DWI arrests Sobriety Checkpoint Results in Mount Vernon Police District*- Fairfax County, Virginia


3340 people illegally searched, 8 ticketed for DUI. Lets stop pretending this is a safety check, and call it what it really is .. a revenue generating way to violate constitutional protection from illegal search and seizure. These are eerily similar to the "seatbelt checkpoints" that are also another excuse to violate constitutional rights. MADD is an utter disgrace and a perfect example of a special interest having a detrimental influence on public policy.

I think the low arrest figures PROVE that sobriety checkpoints are effective. News of them travels like wildfire and either the drunks don't drive or they take another route.

Why do you think the police advertise the checkpoints? It's for the deterrent effect! If revenue generation was the motive, wouldn't they want motorists to NOT know about their checkpoints?

And dude, the US Supreme Court has ruled that sobriety checkpoints are legal...that makes them LEGAL, regardless of your opinion.

[RedKnightt]

I actually know several police officers who consider them a waste of time. They believe they can get better results by staking out bars and watching people leave. Drunks tend to act rather noticeably.

I'm not a big fan of drunk drivers. I think the penalties should be harsh, both in terms of jail/prison time and money. I think you have the right to get as blotto as you want, at home, a bar, a friend's house, wherever. You just need to give the keys to someone else before you get behind the wheel of a 2-ton piece of metal and hurt someone.

Also, I think that while the SCOTUS ruled (6-3) that these checkpoints are legal, it doesn't mean that they are right. The dissenting opinions in that ruling seem much more in line with the Constitution. Rights are very rarely taken away wholesale. They are often chipped away, bit by bit, in the name of "public safety".

Just my $0.02

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by car54

News of them travels like wildfire and either the drunks don't drive or they take another route.

This is why I personally disagree with local law enforcement announcing in advance where and when they will be targeting potential DUI offenders. How many just continued on their merry way on another route after reading that or being warned by others at the bar?

[normie]

Originally Posted by car54

Why do you think the police advertise the checkpoints? It's for the deterrent effect! If revenue generation was the motive, wouldn't they want motorists to NOT know about their checkpoints?

LOL, good point! I like the way they use cameras as deterrents, too (the cameras aren't actually turned on, but something about seeing a camera makes people behave). Also, every once in awhile you hear about the police car parking squad cars on a median with a dummy inside it. Even though people know it's fake, they tend to drive better.

[car54]

Originally Posted by RedKnightt

....Also, I think that while the SCOTUS ruled (6-3) that these checkpoints are legal, it doesn't mean that they are right...

But the poster I was addressing did not say that sobriety checkpoints are not "right"....he said they are "illegal". I was merely pointing out that the Supreme Court has ruled otherwise...