Two Arrested for DUI during Recent Efforts

Redlands Police arrested two people for driving under the influence during weekend alcohol enforcement operations, including a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint and targeted “saturation” patrols, part of the Redlands Police Department’s comprehensive Responsible Redlands initiative. A total of 160 vehicles passed through the DUI checkpoint during the first hour Friday, Aug. 30, in the westbound lanes of Brookside Avenue at Grant Street before inclement weather caused the checkpoint to be shut down. Officers on grant-funded overtime continued a targeted “saturation” patrol for the remainder of the evening and arrested one person for driving under the influence. Officers also cited five drivers for violations including running stop signs, driving without a license and driving on a suspended license. Another traffic officer working a scheduled saturation patrol Friday in cooperation with the “Avoid the 25” multiagency task force also arrested one driver for driving under the influence and issued three citations for driving without a license and driving on a license that was suspended or revoked. An additional “party patrol” enforcing the City’s Social Host Ordinance aimed at curbing parties and gatherings where alcohol is served to underage individuals was also implemented over the weekend. No citations under the ordinance were issued. On Wednesday, Aug. 28, the Redlands Police Department launched a new initiative focusing on enforcement of alcohol laws and announced the recent Labor Day holiday weekend enforcement operations under the new initiative. Called Responsible Redlands, the initiative aims to curb incidents related to binge and underage drinking in Redlands. Overall targets of the Responsible Redlands enforcement actions include alcohol retailers, bars, house parties and those driving under the influence of alcohol. Redlands Police Commander Chris Catren emphasized the department’s goal to inform the community and reduce drunken driving through education as an alternative to enforcement, citing the department’s philosophy of prevention, intervention and suppression. “We believe our efforts to educate the community about the problems associated with drinking and driving, as well as binge or underage drinking, is the prevention component of this three-legged approach. We would rather prevent the behavior,” Catren said. “From the results we are seeing, we believe we are succeeding in that approach.” “We look forward to working together with the various stakeholders in our community representing health care, parents, education, business, and the broader community in a comprehensive effort to curb problems related to binge and underage drinking as part of the Responsible Redlands initiative,” said Police Chief Mark Garcia. “Binge and underage drinking come with a huge price to pay—both for the individuals involved and our community as a whole,” declared Mayor Pete Aguilar. “Responsible Redlands is an important public safety initiative for our community. It’s our collective responsibility to proactively prevent these problems and tragedies that not only bring a huge burden of time, money, and other resources, but can cost individuals their health, wellbeing, and sometimes even their lives.” Costs due to alcohol abuse in San Bernardino County are estimated at over $7 billion annually according to a recent study (Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation). This includes annual costs of $1.5 billion due to impaired driving, $450 million due to violent crime, and $1 billion due to other nonfatal injuries. Redlands has one of the highest percentages (67 percent) in San Bernardino County of DUI arrestees who identify an establishment—typically a bar or restaurant versus a private residence or other location—as the place where they most recently consumed alcohol (Place of Last Drink survey: Special Report, County of San Bernardino, Alcohol and Drug Services, 2012). A small number of establishments (10) account for a majority (67 percent) of those arrested for DUI from Redlands (Place of Last Drink survey: Special Report, County of San Bernardino, Alcohol and Drug Services, 2012). Thirty-eight percent of San Bernardino County TRACE cases involved underage drinking at a house party; four of these resulted in fatalities (Target Responsibility for Alcohol-Connected Emergencies). Between 2009 and 2010, 55 percent of 11th graders in Redlands said it was “very easy” to obtain alcohol, according to the California Healthy Kids Survey. In 2009, 1,466 youth under 21 were discharged from San Bernardino County emergency rooms with alcohol in their systems. (California Department of Public Health’s EpiCenter). There were 721 injury collisions and 36 deaths primarily due to intoxication in 2011 in the County of San Bernardino (CHP, Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System). In Redlands, there were 18 injury collisions due to intoxication in 2011 (CHP, Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System). Initial supporters and partners of the Responsible Redlands initiative include: the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Mayor Pete Aguilar, The Common Vision Coalition and Padres Para Padres.