Eureka Police Launch DUI Program

Driver's license checkpoints, warrant checks all part of federally-funded approach

By Sentinel Staff

Eureka police are starting a year-long effort to stop drunken and drugged driving thanks to a grant from the City of Eureka’s Office of Traffic Safety.

“Driving under the influence results in thousands of unnecessary deaths ever year in this country,” said Police Chief Garry Nielsen, adding the department has a zero tolerance policy for impaired drivers. “This grant will significantly enhance our ability to target impaired drivers in Eureka and to hold them accountable.”

The special $49,197 grant will help reduce the number of people killed and injured in drunk driving accidents. Funding for the grant comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Officers will conduct DUI and driver’s license checkpoints, warrant searches and stakeouts for repeat DUI offenders, saturation patrols and court stings of drivers with suspended or revoked driver licenses who get behind the wheel as they leave court.

“Impaired driving is a serious crime that kills and injures thousands every year in California,” said Christopher J. Murphy, the Office of Traffic Safety’s director. “This grant will help get drunk drivers off the roadways of Eureka, making it safer for everyone.”