Local News Comments

Wow. 826 Drivers were stopped, yet no DUI arrests were made. What a logical and efficient use of manpower.
These checkpoints are total BS, they're illegal and I can't believe people put up with them.

Every officer takes on oath: "I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California".

Shame on every single officer involved, and shame on local and state government for allowing the California Highway Patrol to break their oath and spit on the Constitution.

Instead of just sitting near the CHP office why not set up check points down the street from reported reckless drivers near house parties.

VoteTheConstitution, please cite the clause in the Constitution that a DUI checkpoint is violating. Thanks in advance

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. .... Ben Franklin

No Kidding - I went through this with my family and I was pissed. These guys sat around joking and wasting tax payer money. By the way the sign said "Driver License Check" - Unconstitutional and I would NOT have shown my identification.

How are DUI checkpoints illegal? I applaud the local law enforcement for actually caring enough to do those. Yes they are a hassle when you are trying to get somewhere. Makes me feel better knowing that they get more people off the streets that are driving on suspended licenses and are under the influence. If you don't like how this state or country is ran you can always move out of it.

VTC, You might think differently if one of your family members died due to a drunk driver. With your mind set you are probably the one trying to escape the check point because your joy is more important than someones life.

@VoteTheConstitution: You should elaborate more to explain how they are breaking their oath and how the checkpoints are illegal.

I would like to Thank the CHP...I went threw the check point at around 10:45...It was fast and efficient...

I would have laughed if it was funny,but I was sitting at the Whistlestop,getting gas and watched no less than 20 cars either turn around,go back down mainstreet Jamestown,or take Rawhide Rd.Then there was the car that took the side panel off there door and was stuffing bags in the door by Day-O-!!!

Nobody likes a drunk driver but an abuse of power is not a good thing either.

DUI check points, while not entirely illegal, have guidelines they are required to follow. Look them up. If you don't want to stop, don't. You are not required to. They still have to show probable cause to stop you and not submitting to unreasonable search is not probable cause.

It's a fishing expedition in my opinion and in this case it didn't pay off and the sought after revenue wasn't generated.

@shiner

Ben never had to get on the road with drunk guy driving a monster truck either.

The only freedom threatened here is the freedom to drink and drive and kill and maim innocent people.

I defy anyone to show in the Constition where one of their inalienable rights is the right to intentionally endanger anyone else life.

Oh my! VTC, I really hope you never have to defend the constitution because someone was allowed to drive a lethal weapon head on into a loved one. There is nothing constitutional about being able to drive intoxicated. A quick smile and wave at an officer to prove you're legit is a SMALL price to pay.

I believe what votetheconstitution is referring to is the 4th amendment. It has gone back and forth in the courts. However, my life, liberty and pursuit of happiness could be taken from me by a drunk driver, therefore I'm in favor of those checkpoints.

Drove by this coming back from the Sonora Football game.. I feel the reason they didn't get any Drunk Drivers is there was an easy escape route. They coulds see the check point ahead and all they had to do was turn down 5th ave and avoid the check point.

Guess were all guilty until proven innocent....
Kinda Bassackwards....

What vtc is referring to is the fourth amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons,houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause."

So police don't have probable cause like weaving or tail light out or licence plate light out or obscured plate by a ball hitch or anything hanging from your rear view mirror and so forth.

Read the constitution if you get the time and you will see our rights have really been trampled in the name of safety mostly.

Also things we are told like your social security # will never be used as a means of I.D. and the funds will be kept separate from the general fund, you will never be stopped just for not wearing s/b.

Skidmore is right, this process would be a violation of the 4th amendment,that is why notice of the stop and an alternate route is required before you get to the check point. Only the dumbest drivers are caught, there is no excuse to get caught DUI in one of these. I am ret. LE and not a big fan of this stuff,,,mainly it is a PR/awareness tool but time is money and this is a waste of manpower. They should just go out and catch the DUI's...it isn't very difficult at all.

VoteTheConstitution: My father was a CHP officer and I am glad he did those checkpoints. There is nothing in the consitution where there right to look or check for drunk drivers is a violation. Just because you think it is wrong, it protects hundreds of live every time they do this. To be honest I wish they did more often.

Well, if we're talking about the 4th amendment, and that we can all reasonably assume that DUI was not an issue when it was written, I believe the first part of the sentence is what they meant, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,...." I do not believe they ever expected people to behave so irresponsible, selfish, and apathetic about the safety of their fellow men.

This is all chaff. The police are doing their duty...as to HOW they do it..
or enact it...
That is up to YOU.
Suck it up and start participating.
Whiners.

Can someone say illegal search and seizure?

But, I do like getting drunk drivers off the road. Next, they need to target texting/twittering and driving.

http://www.land.netonecom.net/tlp/ref/right2travel.shtml

It always amazes me how many people are willing to give up liberty for a little safety.


How many drunk drivers did they get off the road again? Hmm...