Hundreds Of Motorists Monitored, One Snagged At Weekend DUI Checkpoint

By John Voket

After conducting 14 DUI checkpoints throughout the community during the past three years, Newtown officers chose a brand new location September 10 on Route 302 adjacent to the Dodgingtown market. With safety cones and warning signs posted in both directions, about a dozen officers including two supervisors greeted more than 400 motorists, reminding them of the ongoing “You Drink, You Drive, You Lose,” safety campaign.

According to Sgt Chris Vanghele, who was supervising the activities, the checkpoint was initiated at about 7 pm and concluded at 3 am on September 11 having netted one DUI arrest.

At approximately 11:50 pm, police said Scott Ames, 41, of Shutt Road, traveled eastbound through the checkpoint in a 2000 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. After questioning by officers at the scene, he was asked to perform a field sobriety test, which he subsequently failed.

Mr Ames was then arrested and charged with DUI by investigating officer Michael McGowan. The accused was later released on a $200 bond and a court date of September 23.

In addition to the DUI arrest, officers encountered a driver operating without a license, another was discovered operating without insurance and also charged with misuse of marker plates. Officers additionally stopped two operators for driving unregistered vehicles, six for seatbelt violations, one minor who was found driving with alcohol in the vehicle, and issued 20 other warnings for various motor vehicle offenses.

According to the report, overtime expenses for officers and supervisors was paid through a grant by the Connecticut State Department of Transportation’s Division of Highway Safety.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe said the current grant was one of several the department received in recent years, which greatly enhanced the Newtown department’s ability to sustain the ongoing program of alcohol enforcement.

“Historically we have been pretty consistent getting grants for DUI enforcement, so I expect to continue the series as long as I can determine we’ll keep getting funded,” said Chief Kehoe.

He said the state Department of Transportation has helped local departments like Newtown get the word out by coordinating grants for spot checks and other strategic enforcement activities with very aggressive television, billboard, print, and radio campaigns.

“We’ve seen a decline in DUI arrest numbers, which means people are becoming more aware. The frequency of the message is contributing to that,” he said. “I think reinforcing the message of responsible drinking is a very positive thing.”

But, the Chief said, declining DUI arrest numbers do not mean his department’s job is done by any means.

“Drivers in town can count on periodic checkpoints through the holiday season and into 2005,” he said. “And we’ll also conduct what we call specialized DUI patrols with just a few officers designated to spotting drunk drivers.”

Besides patrol vehicles and personnel stationed at last weekend’s checkpoint, Newtown’s special DUI enforcement vehicle was employed to monitor proceedings via its onboard video camera.

In addition, a special mobile command unit was equipped for DUI processing for the evening, and manned by police personnel when required. The Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Department assisted in the operation providing lighting for the checkpoint.