Alameda County Sweep For DUI Offenders Nets Dozens Of Arrests
ALAMEDA COUNTY (CBS SF) - Alameda County law enforcement agencies began a coordinated search Wednesday morning for nearly 600 people who have warrants related to their drunken-driving convictions.
Part of the county's annual Avoid the 21 campaign, the sweep targeted those who failed to fulfill the terms of their sentence.
KCBS' Bob Butler Reports:
"Whether they never showed up to court in the first place, whether they didn't pay a fine, whether they didn't go through a program, there could be a whole lot of different reasons," said Livermore Police Sgt. John Hurd.
He said they arrest people at home or at work and invite the media along on purpose.
"They're looking at people getting arrested for DUI warrants and it reminds people to make better choices, " said Hurd. "Don't drink and drive. If you're going to have a good time this holiday season, figure out some kind of way to get home. Don't get in a car to do it. Also, these people need to follow up on their warrants so we're accomplishing two things at the same time."
Livermore Police Officer Traci Rebiejo said those charges don't expire.
"Those warrants stay in the system forever. People that think that it's been two or three years will be surprised when we're knocking on their doors five years later," she said.
Rebiejo said that many of the suspects have suspended licenses, but still drive anyway.
As of late Wednesday afternoon, Alameda County law enforcement agencies had made 52 arrests.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
