http://www.nctimes.com/search/?l=50&sd=desc&s=start_time&f=html&byline=By%20TERI%20FIGUEROA%0Atfigueroa%40nctimes.com
Escondido Police Department officials said they will set up a driver's license and insurance checkpoint Friday from 6 p.m. until midnight somewhere in the city, and will also add roving patrol officers throughout town, looking for impaired drivers.
Officers at the checkpoint will focus on verifying drivers' licenses, registration and insurance of the vehicles passing through it. They may also enforce other obvious violations, such as seat belt violations, child safety seat violations and mechanical violations that may impair the driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely.
In announcing the checkpoint, department officials said that city police have investigated 507 collisions involving suspected drunken drivers, and those crashes left 234 people injured over the last three years. Officials said the department uses the checkpoints and extra patrols as a deterrent to people who might drive while impaired.
Checkpoints are a contentious issue in Escondido, and dozens of people on both sides of the issue have held dueling rallies.
Critics of the checkpoints say they believe the city is illegally profiting from towing and impounding vehicles seized from drivers. Supporters say the police are simply enforcing the law and making city streets safer through the department's efforts.
Officers at the checkpoint will focus on verifying drivers' licenses, registration and insurance of the vehicles passing through it. They may also enforce other obvious violations, such as seat belt violations, child safety seat violations and mechanical violations that may impair the driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely.
In announcing the checkpoint, department officials said that city police have investigated 507 collisions involving suspected drunken drivers, and those crashes left 234 people injured over the last three years. Officials said the department uses the checkpoints and extra patrols as a deterrent to people who might drive while impaired.
Checkpoints are a contentious issue in Escondido, and dozens of people on both sides of the issue have held dueling rallies.
Critics of the checkpoints say they believe the city is illegally profiting from towing and impounding vehicles seized from drivers. Supporters say the police are simply enforcing the law and making city streets safer through the department's efforts.
