Portable breathalyzer test (PBT's) not accurate, say Missouri State Troopers

Springfield, MO

f you're headed out for some New Year's Eve festivities, first a word from area police. Despite the popularity of those portable breath tests, state troopers say leave them at home.

The portable breathalyzers are marketed as a way to keep you safe while celebrating, but police say they provide a false sense of security that could land you behind bars... or worse.

Each new year's brings the threat of a celebration turning into a tragedy. Police try to prevent it by strictly enforcing DWI laws.
But more and more partiers are taking the law into their own hands with the help of these personal breath alcohol tests. Sold for about $10 each, they claim to detect blood alcohol levels above .02 with 99% accuracy. "The positive side is a least people are aware that there's a problem," said Lt. Terry Moore with the MO Highway Patrol Troop D.


But he says the negatives far outweigh positives. First, he's concerned about the accuracy of the device. "If you're buying $10 instrument that's supposed to do same as $3 or 400 instrument then you get $10 results."

But far more worrisome, Lt. Moore says, is that people who buy these are most likely intending to drink and drive. "People using these are going to events where they know they're gonna have a lot of drinks and they're concerned about achieving certain level rather than being impaired."

Not to mention that you're asking someone who could potentially be impaired to properly use the instrument and have the good judgment to not get behind the wheel should the test be positive. Lt. Moore says there's a much better way to prevent this. "It's not okay to be impaired and drive and only way to assure this is to not drink."

One thing to keep in mind, police say, is that when you leave a bar, your alcohol level may not have peaked. It keeps rising as the alcohol moves from your stomach into your bloodstream.

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Anti-DWI group promotes "Designated Driver Gift Card" for Christmas

Springfield, MO

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety suggests sending a Designated Driver Gift Card — and serving as a sober driver— this holiday season to help friends and families make it home safe and avoid a DWI arrest, according to a news release.

“Even a little holiday cheer can impair your driving,” said Leanna Depue, chair of the executive committee of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, in a written release. “These gift cards offer a free, safe alternative to driving impaired.”

The gift cards, distributed by the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, can be sent electronically at www.saveMOlives.com.

Designated Driver Gift Card-givers merrily offer to be a sober chauffeur to the recipient. When sent online, recipients are asked to return the favor.

Missouri law enforcement will be cracking down on impaired drivers Dec. 7-13 as part of a special holiday campaign known as You Drink & Drive. You Lose.

The days between Thanksgiving and Christmas are usually filled with lots of holiday travel and cheer.

According to the news release, it can also be a very dangerous time on Missouri roads. In 2008, between the two holidays, 94 people died in traffic crashes — 15 were alcohol-related — in Missouri and 5,163 were injured, with 363 related to alcohol.

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Opinion: Greene Couty DWI court should be expanded

Springfield, MO

wo local stories in our paper Tuesday are connected in a fashion worth noting.
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One cited difficulties faced by the officials running the crowded Greene County jail. They cannot provide safe, private space for attorneys to talk over cases with inmates.

The other told of the successes of the county's DWI court. It helps rehabilitate people accused of felony-level drunken driving so they don't have to spend years in jail.

See the tie-in?

Obviously, we cannot continue to incarcerate people at the rate we've been going in Greene County, or Missouri as a whole. With costs of jails spiraling and the rate of recidivism high, programs like the DWI court remain bright spots on a bleak horizon.

In Tuesday's story, proponents of the court relayed high hopes for more funding for expansion.

As it stands, the court only takes defendants accused of their third DWI, cases that rise to a felony. Greene County DWI court Judge Peggy Davis wants to reach down to second-time offenders, seeking earlier intervention in the at-times deadly cycle of drinking and driving.

She said Kansas statistics show recidivism as high as 80 percent for second-time DWI offenders. Meanwhile, the rate of recidivism for those who go through Greene's program is lower than 7 percent.

Started in late 2003, the Greene court has enrolled 401 defendants, with about 100 presently in the program. A total of 187 graduated successfully. Of those, the court has been able to track only 12 re-offenders.

The program lasts at least 18 months and involves counseling, strict monitoring, lab testing, community service and sometimes short "shock" prison sentences. Often, Davis says, graduates go on to help others fight for sobriety.

Those who don't complete the program must go back before a judge on a probation violation and often end up incarcerated, Davis said.

Offenders pay $2,000 each to enter the court. For other funding, the court taps into various streams of state monies, for instance funds earmarked for mental health counseling. Court officials say that on average taxpayers pay about $4.42 per day for each court participant. (As a comparison, the state Department of Corrections spends about 10 times that much daily per inmate.)

Still, an expansion of the DWI court will require more funds. We're glad to see officials make that push, and we support it.

As one of only four programs in the country named as a teaching court, Greene's effort has been recognized as a success. Finding money to expand it would help keep roadways safer, jails less crowded and would-be inmates functioning in society.

That sounds like a good investment -- especially when we cannot even deal with inmates already behind bars.

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Springfield group advocates selling alcohol in city parks

Springfield, MO

A group of Springfield residents wanting alcohol in city parks is growing.

More than 400 people are signed up for the Facebook group titled "Legalize Alcohol Sales in the Springfield, MO Park Board System."

The group's organizer says it would be a great way to bring revenue into the strapped-for-cash city.

"Golf courses and the ice rink; events like that. There is certainly going to be some profit realized form the sale of alcohol, and obviously the tax dollars as well," said Karl Kime.

A similar measure already failed back in 2002, but Kime says he wants to take a different approach this go round.

"It doesn't even have to be an open deal for all times, it can be venue and event specific," said Kime.

Here's something unusual for you. You might not think tortoises at the Dickerson Park Zoo would benefit from alcohol in the parks, but Friends of the Zoo say its biggest fundraiser is currently held off-site because alcohol is not allowed.

The annual "Ball of the Wild" is a chance for the zoo and its donors to come together, but currently those donors can't see where they are spending their money.

"We can not showcase the beauty, and all of the progress Dickerson Park Zoo has made to the donors and supporters who support us throughout the year," said Melinda Arnold with Friends of the Zoo.

Yet, while there may be some positives, Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore, who is on the DWI Task Force says he's afraid the idea will get out of control.

"We all know we don't have enough police officers. So if you want to interject alcohol into softball games, and people already losing tempers, people will get into a brawl or fight, and will expect prompt response from the police. So, I think it's a dangerous mix," said Moore.

He says he doesn't see why anyone playing softball or tennis would need to drink, but is willing to discuss the issue with those in favor of it.

Kime says his group of supporters welcome that and want the effort to be a joint one, no matter which side of the fence you stand on.

The group hopes to present its plan to city council down the line, but is still in its planning stage right now.

To view the group on Facebook click here.

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DWI saturation patrols scheduled in Stone, Taney and Barry Counties in August

Springfield, MO

Driving-while-intoxicated saturation efforts will be held in Stone, Taney and Barry counties in August, according to Missouri Highway Patrol Troop D. commander Capt. Juan Villanueva.
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Saturation checkpoints are part of the patrol's strategy to get intoxicated drivers off Missouri roads, according to a news release.

Missouri residents are urged to report any driver they observe operating a vehicle in an unsafe manner.

The public can contact the patrol toll-free at 800-525-5555 or on their cellular phone at *55

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Missouri Water Patrol cracked down on violations of new drinking law over Holiday weekend

Springfield, MO

For some the 4th of July includes a little too much celebration, the kind that can land them behind bars.

And for boaters it's now easier to end up there.

Last August the blood alcohol content limit for boat operators was dropped from .1 to .08, the same max for drivers on our roads.

Sp far this summer the Missouri Water Patrol has issued over 50 more DWI citations than this time last summer.

And on the first 4th of July since the change, officers geared up for more.

Next to fireworks, an afternoon on Table Rock Lake is the Ozarkers' act of patriotism.

One boater explains, “I come down here every weekend. There are a lot of people. You've got to get out there early to find a spot on the lake.”

Especially on the 4th of July- this 4th of July.

Falling on a weekend, record crowds are expected to be making waves.

Says Corporal Mike McClure with the Missouri Water Patrol, “Recreational boating, tubing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, personal watercraft activities,” you’ll see them all on Table Rock Lake.

You’ll probably also see some of the people doing them down a drink or two.

So McClure expects make a few DWI arrests this holiday weekend, in fact, that expectation has led to an increase in enforcement.
“The potential is there."

The lowering of the legal drinking limit for boat operators last August has correlated with more DWI citations on the lake.

Drinkers that were legal before are now breaking the law, and that has boaters in favor of the change feeling safer on the water.

“Driving a boat is just as dangerous as driving a car, if not more dangerous because there are no lines out there,” says boater Seth Cross.

Still, some consider cracking open a beer at the helm an act of patriotism too, one that- ironically, and now more easily- could result in a loss of independence.

Says McClure, “If they're violation of the law and they're caught, subsequent to being stopped, and they are under the influence of alcohol they're going to jail."

The punishment for a boating DWI is identical to a driving DWI, although there’s no license to be lost.

The third offense if felony.

Since there's no open container law on boats, the water patrol has to see a violation and therefore have a probable cause to stop a boater, not just see an alcoholic beverage.

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Springfield DWI Task Force opposes sale of alcohol at movie theater

Springfield, MO

It was 1906 when Fred Wehrenberg opened his first movie theater -- a converted St. Louis bakery that employed Wehrenberg's adjacent saloon as a concession stand.

According to a brief history on the Wehrenberg Theaters, Inc. Web site: "Business boomed, inspiring the Wehrenbergs to open a second venue, the Airdome."

Some 103 years later, the Springfield progeny of that first theater has made a foray into its saloon-cum-snack stand roots, with less-enthusiastic results.

The Wehrenberg-owned Campbell 16 Cine, 4005 South Ave., is facing mounting scrutiny for a decision to begin selling beer, wine and cocktails in the theater last year.

Parent-teacher associations, a state medical association and local law enforcement officials have come out against the sales, and a survey released Friday suggests many would like to see alcohol stop flowing in the city's biggest multiplex.

Wehrenberg, meanwhile, says it began selling alcohol in response to customer interest.

"It's simply an amenity that moviegoers have requested," said Wehrenberg Spokeswoman Kelly Hoskins. "We want to do what's best for our moviegoers."

In a telephone survey of 361 registered voters in Springfield, 82 percent of respondents were against the sale of alcohol in family-oriented movie theaters, according to Missouri State University sociology professor Lorene Stone.

The three-week survey was carried out by MSU's Center for Social Science and Public Policy Research.

The results would seem to add weight to concerns raised by the Springfield Council of Parent-Teacher Associations, or SCPTA, made up of 51 PTAs in Springfield.

In April, the group passed a resolution to seek certain restrictions on the theater. Namely, the council says the theater should provide notice alcohol is sold within, and establish a 21-and-over-only area where alcohol can be served.

The Missouri State Medical Association has passed a similar resolution, and the Springfield DWI Task Force has signed on.

The main concern, the organizations say, is that minors could gain easy access to alcohol in the dark of a theater. It's a factor opponents believe adds a risk of imbibing not present at venues like Hammons Field or bowling alleys, where minors also are exposed to alcohol sales.
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"The huge difference is the darkened theater," said Jim Blaine, a local doctor and chair of the DWI Task Force. "We as parents have always viewed that as kind of a safe place. We just feel that it's inappropriate."
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Also inappropriate, Blaine and others say, are alcohol advertisements posted within the theater, which they feel target minors.

But Hoskins said concerns kids will gain access to alcohol are overblown. Theater staff is trained to card customers purchasing alcoholic beverages, and policy is to sell only one beverage at a time per valid ID. That limits the possibility adults could share alcohol with minors in a darkened theater, she said.

"Because it's such a small market, we can pretty much track if someone keeps coming back," Hoskins said.

Wehrenberg has sold alcoholic beverages at various theaters since 1999, but only rolled out sales in Springfield last year.

"We don't outwardly advertise alcohol, because that's not a revenue stream for us," Hoskins said. "It's mom and dad going to the movies, and dad wants to sit out and have a beer while he's waiting."

In response to the outcry over alcohol sales, Hoskins said Wehrenberg will keep an eye on the situation, and respond to the demands of its customers. Told of the results of the MSU survey, she said she'd need to see more about the study's methodology.

"We're always open to hear what the moviegoer market wants," she said.

But if opponents have their way, city officials might make Wehrenberg's marketing decisions for the company.

In the near future, representatives of the SCPTA and Missouri State Medical Association plan to pitch proposals limiting or abolishing Wehrenberg's alcohol sales to Springfield's City Council.

And the groups already have at least one sympathetic ear.

Councilwoman Cindy Rushefsky, a former prosecutor who sits on the DWI Task Force, said Friday she'd support an ordinance banning alcohol sales at family-oriented theaters.

"I think the cleanest way to do it and the way that's going to be the least complicated for everybody... is just to have a ban," Rushefsky said. "My understanding is that there are cities that have done it."

Springfield Mayor Jim O'Neal also has met with opponents of the alcohol sales, and said they "make a relevant point."

If an ordinance is crafted, it would likely be narrowly tailored to apply to the Springfield 16 and other "family-oriented" theaters.

The Moxie, the only other theater in Springfield with a liquor license, would probably be unaffected.

That's because The Moxie often screens lesser-known, adult-oriented movies, not those with wide appeal to younger audiences.

"It's not the same thing at all," Blaine said.

He added that the relatively tiny size of the two-screen Moxie means it's easy to keep tabs on who's tippling.

"You couldn't sneak a Cheeto in there."


"The huge difference is the darkened theater," said Jim Blaine, a local doctor and chair of the DWI Task Force. "We as parents have always viewed that as kind of a safe place. We just feel that it's inappropriate."
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Also inappropriate, Blaine and others say, are alcohol advertisements posted within the theater, which they feel target minors.

But Hoskins said concerns kids will gain access to alcohol are overblown. Theater staff is trained to card customers purchasing alcoholic beverages, and policy is to sell only one beverage at a time per valid ID. That limits the possibility adults could share alcohol with minors in a darkened theater, she said.

"Because it's such a small market, we can pretty much track if someone keeps coming back," Hoskins said.

Wehrenberg has sold alcoholic beverages at various theaters since 1999, but only rolled out sales in Springfield last year.

"We don't outwardly advertise alcohol, because that's not a revenue stream for us," Hoskins said. "It's mom and dad going to the movies, and dad wants to sit out and have a beer while he's waiting."

In response to the outcry over alcohol sales, Hoskins said Wehrenberg will keep an eye on the situation, and respond to the demands of its customers. Told of the results of the MSU survey, she said she'd need to see more about the study's methodology.

"We're always open to hear what the moviegoer market wants," she said.

But if opponents have their way, city officials might make Wehrenberg's marketing decisions for the company.

In the near future, representatives of the SCPTA and Missouri State Medical Association plan to pitch proposals limiting or abolishing Wehrenberg's alcohol sales to Springfield's City Council.

And the groups already have at least one sympathetic ear.

Councilwoman Cindy Rushefsky, a former prosecutor who sits on the DWI Task Force, said Friday she'd support an ordinance banning alcohol sales at family-oriented theaters.

"I think the cleanest way to do it and the way that's going to be the least complicated for everybody... is just to have a ban," Rushefsky said. "My understanding is that there are cities that have done it."

Springfield Mayor Jim O'Neal also has met with opponents of the alcohol sales, and said they "make a relevant point."

If an ordinance is crafted, it would likely be narrowly tailored to apply to the Springfield 16 and other "family-oriented" theaters.

The Moxie, the only other theater in Springfield with a liquor license, would probably be unaffected.

That's because The Moxie often screens lesser-known, adult-oriented movies, not those with wide appeal to younger audiences.

"It's not the same thing at all," Blaine said.

He added that the relatively tiny size of the two-screen Moxie means it's easy to keep tabs on who's tippling.

"You couldn't sneak a Cheeto in there."

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Greene County cracks down on driving while intoxicated (DWI)

Springfield, MO

The Greene County Sheriff's office took to the streets Saturday night looking to curb drunk driving.

During their saturation patrol, about two dozen deputies ticketed nearly 40 people.

Nineteen of those were for driving while intoxicated and another half dozen for for driving with a revoked license.

They also arrested six minors for possession of intoxicants and another six people were arrested for outstanding warrants.

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Nearly 3 dozen arrested for DWI in Springfield weekend sweep

Springfield, MO

Springfield police and Greene County Sheriff's deputies make nearly three dozen arrests for DWI in a weekend crack-down on drunk drivers.

Starting last Friday through Sunday, Springfield police set up a sobriety checkpoint and heavily patrolled areas likely to have drunk drivers. Police say they arrested 23 people for DWI.

Greene County had 16 deputies working overtime over the weekend, watching for drunk drivers. They made 11 arrests and 6 more for minors in possession of alcohol.

Both crackdowns were timed around St. Patrick's Day celebrations and paid for with overtime grant money.

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Grant Money Funds Greene County New Year's Eve DWI Enforcement

Springfield, MO

Law enforcement officers across the Ozarks were out in full force to catch drunk drivers on New Year's Eve.

Greene County deputies were just one agency with eight extra officers on the road specifically searching for celebrators who broke the law.

The extra enforcement was funded by grant money.

KSPR rode along with a Greene County Lieutenant.

In just 15 minutes Lt. David Johnson made three traffic stops and arrested one suspected drunk driver.

The man was arrested before seven 7:00 p.m.

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Police Net Two Dozen For No Seat Belts

Springfield, MO

A special enforcment project by Springfield police over the Thanksgiving period resulted in more than two dozen tickets issued for drivers failing to wear seat belts, police said today.

The Springfield Police Department joined a number of other law agencies in Missouri for the Click It of Ticket project November 26. Police reported 27 tickets written for no seat belts - 26 speeding tickets, 2 DWI's and 35 other traffic violations.

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Driver faces DWI charge after crashing into house

Springfield,MO

A 59-year-old rural Greene County man faces a driving-while-intoxicated charge following an accident Friday that ended with the man’s pickup crashing into a house, Springfield police said.

The man was arrested following a 2:09 p.m. collision at West Calhoun Street and North Brown Avenue that began when the driver of a Toyota Tundra did not obey a stop sign and collided with a car that was in the intersection, Springfield Police Department Lt. Roger Moore said.

The truck ran into the garage of a house at 1306 North Brown Avenue after the initial collision, he said.

Moore said it did not appear the woman driving the car tht the pickup hit was seriously injured.

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Springfield officer faces DWI, weapons charges in Pulaski County

Waynesville, MO

A Springfield police officer is charged with driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident in Pulaski County after a state trooper stopped him last month. The prosecutor formally charged Joseph Motte of Waynesville on Wednesday with DWI and two counts of careless and imprudent driving (all three are misdemeanors), and leaving the scene of an accident and two counts of possession of a firearm while intoxicated (all three of these are felonies).

Troopers said Motte did not stop his car after it struck an 18-wheeler as he entered I-44 late on Sept. 23. After traveling seven miles, Motte's car went off the road and struck a cable barrier.

Troopers said emergency workers found a whiskey flask and beer cans in the car. They also said he denied that he’d been in an accident after he was extricated from his car.

The Springfield Police Department started an internal affairs investigation after Officer Motte was cited on Sept. 23. After he was charged, Motte was put on paid administrative leave. Police Chief Lynn Rowe says he may be able to make a decision on Motte's future with the department next week. He said Motte would lose his state peace officer’s certificate if he’s convicted of a felony.

If convicted of the felonies, Motte could get up to four years in state prison and/or a fine up to $5,000 on each charge. For the misdemeanors, Motte could get up to six months in a county jail and/or up to a $500 fine for the DWI charge, and up to one year in a jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine for the C&I charges. Most people convicted of a first-time DWI don’t get the maximum penalty.

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Springfield, MO Police, sheriff plan weekend DWI effort

Springfield, MO

The Springfield Police Department and the Greene County Sheriff’s Department will put 25 officers on local roads the weekend to man driving-while-intoxicated checkpoints, the police department has announced.

The operation funded through a Missouri Department of Transportation grant will involve checkpoints where officers will check driver’s licenses and conduct further tests on drivers they believe to be intoxicated.

The department estimates drivers who produce a license and who have not been drinking will be delayed about three minutes.

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Dozen arrests made at DWI checkpoint in Greene County

Springfield, MO

A DWI checkpoint set up on East Sunshine Street netted a dozen arrests, reported Capt. Randy Gibson of the Greene County Sheriff's Department.
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The checkpoint was set up at the 3900 block of East Sunshine from 11 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday. Thirty-five off-duty deputies worked the area, paid by a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Gibson said the effort led to checks on 322 vehicles, eight arrests of those suspected of driving while intoxicated and two arrests related to drugs. There were also two arrests of people who had active warrants.

Officers wrote 12 tickets for traffic offenses.

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DWI checkpoint leads to several arrests in Greene County

Springfield, MO

The Greene County Sheriff's Department helped keep Springfield's streets safer this holiday weekend by conducting a DWI checkpoint Saturday night.

Thirty-five deputies stopped traffic at the 3900 block of east Sunshine between 11 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. Sunday.

Deputies made eight DWI arrests, two drug arrests, two active warrant arrests and ticketed twelve people for driving without a license.

The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

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Five arrested in Greene County DWI saturation patrol

Springfield, MO

Five people were arrested during a DWI saturation late Saturday and early today, the Greene County Sheriff’s Department said.

Six deputies targeted the most heavily traveled roads in the greater Springfield metropolitan area from 10 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. today. The result was the arrest of five impaired drivers, including one illegal alien, authorities said.

The operation was made possible by funding from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

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Man issued DWI summons after inured in one-car accident

Springfield, MO

A 49-year-old man from Success was issued a summons for driving while intoxicated, failure to stop at a stop sign and careless and imprudent driving after he was injured in a one-car crash Friday night at the intersection of Missouri 32 and Route 17, according to a report from the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Tommy L. Sutton was flown to St. John's Hospital in Springfield late Friday with injuries described as serious by the patrol.

Sutton was hurt when he failed to stop his 2000 Dodge Dakota at a stop sign, went off the road, struck a tree and his truck caught fire, according to the report. It was not clear whether Sutton was wearing a seat belt, the report said.

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Kansas City, MO lawmaker pushes legislation to enable DWI courts in Missouri

Jefferson City, MO

Special courts allowing drunken-driving offenders to reduce their sentences by participating in treatment programs could get a boost this year from the Missouri legislature.

Sen. Jolie Justus, a Kansas City Democrat, added language enabling DWI courts to a larger transportation bill approved last week.

Typically, a repeat or felony drunken-driving case is heard in regular court, where the offender most likely faces jail time. In a DWI court, incarceration is a last resort, imposed only if a treatment program and extensive probation isn’t effective. The courts are similar to existing drug courts, although offenders could not have their crimes removed from their records.

“We want to make sure this isn’t a way to skirt the system, but to really address those folks who have several offenses,” Justus said. “I look at it as a way to help those folks who have serious substance abuse problems.”

The bill won approval in the Senate on Thursday and now moves on to the House for consideration.

As the legislation moves through the process, it could be tweaked to allow DWI courts to function within existing drug courts, Justus said. The change could reduce the cost of implementing the courts. More >>

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Seymour woman injured in rollover DWI crash

Springfield, MO

A Seymour, MO woman was taken to a Springfield hospital Wednesday after she was thrown from a truck that crashed north of Mansfield, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Melisa D. Sartin, 37, was taken to St. John’s Hospital after a southbound 1994 Chevrolet truck in which she was a passenger left Route EE one mile north of Mansfield just before 5 p.m.

Sartin was thrown from the truck as it ran off the right side of the road, returned to the roadway and overturned.

The driver was taken to Cox South Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries and was cited for driving while intoxicated (DWI), according to the patrol.

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DWI patrols bring 68 summonses, sheriff reportshttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

Springfield, MO

A weekend saturation patrol by the Greene County Sheriff’s Department resulted in 10 people charged with driving while intoxicated.

The operation, funded with a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation, was held from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

A total of 65 cars were stopped and 68 summons were issued for a variety of offenses, according to a sheriff’s department news release.

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Springfield, MO PD's “DWI Saturation Enforcement” effort results in 5 DWI arrests, 19 traffic citations

Springfield, MO

Five drivers were arrested for driving while intoxicated Saturday, part of the Springfield Police Department’s “DWI Saturation Enforcement” effort, according to a news release.

The effort also resulted in one person arrested for an outstanding felony warrant for fraud and a total of 19 citations issued for other traffic violations.

The operation included seven police officers whose primary objective is to catch drunken drivers, according to the city. The multi-agency operation was citywide and is funded through a Missouri Safety Center grant.

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Missouri DWI prevention and enforcement: Roadblocks aren't the answer

Springfield, MO

The enlightened opinion of Sarah Longwell.

The sobriety checkpoints planned for Missouri will funnel limited state and federal grant money away from measures that have proven to be most effective in combating drunk driving ("Patrol will conduct DWI program," March 12).

Because they are highly visible by design and publicized in advance, roadblocks are all too easily avoided by the chronic alcohol abusers that comprise the core of today's drunk driving problem.

Conversely, the number of DUI arrests made by roving patrol programs is nearly 10 times the average number of DUIs made by checkpoint programs, according to testimony by a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation official.

By focusing scarce law enforcement resources on roadblocks, the Missouri Highway Patrol will strip Missouri's roadways of their most valuable tool for catching drunk drivers.

Missouri residents and taxpayers would benefit from employing the most effective tactics to catch drunk drivers: roving police patrols.

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Missouri Police to be cruising Saturday on DWI patrol

Springfield, MO

The guys in blue will be out looking for anyone who celebrates the wearing of the green with too much drinking Saturday night.

The Springfield Police Department will have seven officers cruising city streets on a driving-while-intoxicated saturation patrol Saturday night, the department has announced.

The patrols coincide with a Missouri Highway Patrol effort beginning tonight that will include DWI checkpoints and saturation patrols. The statewide effort will continue to Monday.

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Statewide Missouri DWI crackdown begins Friday, patrol says

Springfield, MO

The first in a series of statewide driving-while-intoxicated enforcement efforts will take place on Missouri state roads from Friday through next Monday, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol.

The DWI special enforcement program will include both checkpoints and saturations involving patrolling troopers. The goal of the program is to remove intoxicated drivers from Missouri roads.

The program is in addition to numerous other Selective Traffic Enforcement Programs conducted throughout the year. The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Division of Highway Safety funds these additional DWI special enforcement programs.

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Springfield, MO budget cut recommendations, DWI/DUI enforecement impact

Springfield, MO

In his budget cut recommendations police Chief Lynn Rowe suggests eliminating two officers designated for park central square and one officer dedicated to Commercial Street. His cuts would also eliminate a DWI enforcement officer and two traffic accident investigators. That last cut means the department would only investigate injury or fatality accidents... So if you're involved in a fender bender - you won't have a police report for your insurance claim.

The municipal court department head is suggesting eliminating the night court program. That would increase the time it takes for cases to go to trial.He also proposes cutting some funding for the public defender program.That means some criminals facing jail time could instead be fined and set free.If you think these cuts present a lot of legal issues, don't look to the city attorneys office to step in. City attorney Dan Wichmer suggests if a position has to be eliminated from the law department then it should be his.In his recommendation Wichmer says “I hired most of the department and they all gave up lucrative private practices to work here. I will not throw one of them overboard."

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Springfield DWI sweep after game nets 10 arrests

Springfield, MO

More people were arrested for driving while intoxicated on Super Bowl Sunday than on New Year's Eve, according to the Greene County Sheriff's Department. The department arrested 10 people on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after the Sunday night game, the sheriff's department said in a news release.

The arrests occurred during a "saturation patrol" as deputies worked heavily traveled roads from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.

A similar effort New Year's Eve netted four DWI arrests.

"For a saturation patrol, (10) is a pretty good number," Greene County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Jim Arnott said.

Arnott said Super Bowl Sunday is "one of those known times" like New Year's Eve when a lot of people are expected to be drinking and driving.

"There's a national trend of the highest DWI-related arrests, and one of them is Super Bowl Sunday," he said, adding that New Year's Eve and Cinco de Mayo are also on the list.

Greene County deputies made about 78 car stops, issued 28 summonses for different offenses and served six active arrest warrants after the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Arnott said 14 deputies worked overtime during the saturation patrol. Overtime pay for the deputies was funded by a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The extra enforcement is part of an ongoing effort to curb alcohol-related crashes, injuries and deaths in Greene County, according to the news release.

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Greene County DWI Court now a training ground for national DWI courts

Springfield, MO

They would serve their sentence and all too often people convicted of drinking and driving would do it again.

In 2003, Greene County began a DWI court that has been successfully preventing repeat offenses ever since.

Monday, in a special ceremony at Cox Medical Center North, the National Drug Court Institute named it an academy court, a training ground for courts across the country looking to implement similar programs. More >>

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Greene County DWI Court to train other DWI Courts

Springfield, MO / Greene County, MO

The Greene County DWI Court is being named as an Academy Court to serve as a training site for other cities and counties interested in establishing DWI courts, county officials said today.

National Drug Court Institute Director Carolyn Hardin will make the announcement at a news conference at 11:30 a.m. Monday.

The Greene County DWI Court is one of four Academy Courts named nationwide this year by the drug court institute in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA. As an academy court, it will serve to illustrate best practices and provide technical assistance to other cities and counties. More >>

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Missouri tops the national average in DWI Deaths

Springfield, MO

Missourians top the national average in killing themselves driving drunk. Missourians also marry twice as often as they divorce, earn less money than the national average.

These tidbits and others come from the federal government's 127th annual Statistical Abstract of the United States, which provides a statistical snapshot of the nation. Missouri ranks in the middle of many statistical comparisons, though in some cases the numbers show a less favorable standing. More >>

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Free rides from bars to home are available for partiers in Springfield, MO

December 28, 2007 (Springfield, MO)

The number of Missourians killed in alcohol-related crashes ranks in the top third of states. In 2005, 515 people died in those crashes in 2005, and there were 500 fatalities in 2006.

With all the seasonal celebrations, law enforcement officers stress the importance of a designated driver.

“The best way is, if you're going to drink, whether it's one drink or two drinks or whatever, don't drive. Then there's no question at all whether you're going to get arrested for DWI or possibly kill yourself or someone else,” said Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper Sgt. Dan Bracker. http://www.ky3.com/news/local/12885762.html

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DWI patrol, deputies on lookout for intoxicated motorists

December 28, 2007 (Springfield, MO)

With "amateur night" on the horizon and holiday parties still on the agenda for many drivers, the Christian County Sheriff's Department is continuing stepped-up enforcement of drunken-driving laws.
The concentrated periodic crackdown on impaired drivers began Dec. 15 and officers will be out in force on New Year's Eve, hoping to staunch the flow of blood from booze-fueled auto crashes, Sheriff's Department Capt. Jeremy Whitehill said.

"Our focus will be patrol saturation," he said. More >>

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Five arrested in Springfield, MO in driving while intoxicated (DWI) stops Friday night

December 23, 2007 (Springfield, MO)

An effort to stop intoxicated drivers Friday night resulted in five DWI arrests and the issuance of more than 50 tickets, according to the Springfield Police Department.
In all, eight officers made 40 traffic stops that resulted in the DWI arrests and 56 traffic violations.

Overall, the two DWI Enhanced Enforcement sessions this month carried out by police through a Missouri Department of Transportation grant have resulted in 21 arrests.

The Greene County Sheriff's Department took part in the effort by providing transportation and booking officers, according to a police news release.

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