Increase in DUI arrests may be because of increased patrols

Carson City deputies arrested two people believed to be under the influence of either drugs or alcohol during a DUI checkpoint on Friday.

The checkpoint is another in a series of increased patrols across the state targeting drunken driving, said John Johansen, impaired driving programs manager for the Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety. Johansen said those patrols, funded by grants, are likely responsible for the steadily increasing number of DUI arrests in Nevada.

"Much of that has to do with our ability to pay for overtime," said Johansen.

In 2005, there were 13,664 DUI arrests. In 2006, there were 15,951 DUI arrests and in 2007, officers made 18,234 arrests.

"The Office of Traffic Safety received extra funding for impaired driving enforcement, in 06, 07 and we got it again in 08," he said.

Among the programs the grant money is used for are saturation patrols, checkpoints, and selected target enforcement in areas where the most drunk drivers are arrested.

Johansen said in addition to grant money, Nevada law enforcement agencies have also received county funding to hire more officers, thus putting more full-time patrols on the street.

Sheriff Ken Furlong said in Carson City, deputies have arrested 57 percent more impaired drivers in the first seven months of 2008, than they did during the same period in 2007.

In 2007 the Carson City Sheriff's Department received $15,000 in grant money for traffic enforcement. In 2008 they've received $18,000. In fiscal year 2009, which begins at the end of October and runs through September 2009, the Carson City Sheriff's Department is earmarked for $23,000.

Though Furlong acknowledged that increased enforcement has played a part in DUI arrests, he also believes the struggling economy has affected how people behave.

"I place a lot of it on stress, because we are seeing more bar fights, more aggressive behavior in our society. Our battery arrests are up " both simple and aggravated. I think that people are less prone today to put up with whatever they are confronted with," he said.

He said internal statistics show there has also been an increase in robberies, burglaries and thefts.

"Those people who were down and out and just getting by from payday to payday last year may have reasons for acting out now," Furlong said. "Our narcotics and drug arrests are up 7 percent and our DUIs are up 57 percent. People are running short on money and they are turning to alcohol."

Sgt. Mike Cullen said 580 cars passed through the checkpoint during its four hours of operation on Friday. Two other motorists were arrested for having licenses revoked for DUI.

Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.