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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 10:13 PM CST
Grant allows police to start area DUI patrols

By the JG/T-C
editorial@jg-tc.com

CHARLESTON- Starting today, Charleston police officers will conduct a series of driving under the influence of alcohol and seat belt enforcement patrols funded by a state grant.

Deputy Chief Dave Chambers said the Charleston Police Department has received an approximately $14,000 grant through the Illinois Department of Transportation for the patrols.

Chambers said the patrols will take place around Thanksgiving, Christmas, Super Bowl weekend, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco De Mayo, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

In addition, Chambers said the department plans to conduct public education programs to increase awareness about the importance of wearing seat belts and the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol. Civic organizations, school groups, and others can call the department if they would like for an officer to present the program to them.

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~STRANGER~ wrote on Nov 19, 2009 4:46 AM:

" Nothing like a state funded short term loan, huh dave? "

JWT wrote on Nov 19, 2009 7:50 AM:

" As if I needed another reason to stock the fridge with beer and stay home!
Otherwise simply walk or call a cab.
Much cheaper and easyer than getting a DUI. "

Becky wrote on Nov 19, 2009 11:41 AM:

" Oh brother!!! With the state as broke as it is, why they would spend money on all those nasty, non seatbelt wearing, hardened criminals? Oh yeah, maybe it's to bilk even more money out of us. I say, everyone put on your seat belts and not give them an extra cent!!! "

ben of 101739 wrote on Nov 19, 2009 1:30 PM:

" why is a state grant needed to pay police officers for what they should being doing anyway!

is this yet not another way for bilking taxpayers for more money!

dui drivers should be taken off the street, i am not advocating they shouldn't, but why do we need more taxpayer money to accomplish a job that we hired the police officers to do in the first place. "

Amber wrote on Nov 19, 2009 4:46 PM:

" Have you seen the crime rates of coles county? the more police, the better "

radio wrote on Nov 19, 2009 9:09 PM:

" JWT don't walk home, that's a public intoxication charge. "

jrhendren wrote on Nov 19, 2009 11:18 PM:

" ben of 101739 wrote on Nov 19, 2009 1:30 PM:
" why is a state grant needed to pay police officers for what they should being doing anyway!

is this yet not another way for bilking taxpayers for more money!

dui drivers should be taken off the street, i am not advocating they shouldn't, but why do we need more taxpayer money to accomplish a job that we hired the police officers to do in the first place. "

Did you not notice the part, "the patrols will take place around Thanksgiving, Christmas, Super Bowl weekend, St. Patricks Day, Cinco De Mayo, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day." These are higher drinking times. The more police at these times the better. They will still be doing their job, except with some added help. "

slap63 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 8:55 AM:

" Kudos CPD!
Ride along with me some night to go pick up some of these DUI drivers after they have hit another head on. Or have been thrown from their vehicle after it rolled down an embankment. Try dealing with a drunk passenger in your face while you are trying to save their friends life.
Maybe some of you that think this is a waste of money should see what I see. Tell that to the people of have lost innocent loved ones to a drunk driver. "

bob88 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 12:24 PM:

" I have a question for those of you who are complaining. Do you get mad when Mattoon, State and County do the same thing on the same days that the Charleston Police Department are planning on doing these checks? I always get stopped at the check point on my way home from work and I don't mind. "

Airy Dite wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:35 PM:

" The grant money probably goes for overtime pay. "

jrhendren wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:23 AM:

" bob88 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 12:24 PM:
" I have a question for those of you who are complaining. Do you get mad when Mattoon, State and County do the same thing on the same days that the Charleston Police Department are planning on doing these checks? I always get stopped at the check point on my way home from work and I don't mind.

The once that mind, and are complaining are probably the once who have got caught by them. "