Dozens of Albuquerque police officers will be working checkpoints and roaming the streets looking for drunk drivers this New Year’s Eve.
Dozens of Albuquerque police officers will be working checkpoints and roaming the streets looking for drunk drivers this New Year’s Eve.
More than 20 officers will be assigned full time looking for DWI offenders starting at 4:30 p.m. Friday. There will also be multiple checkpoints throughout the city. For the first time, APD will be utilizing its new fleet of unmarked Dodge Chargers looking for drunken drivers.
Although DWI arrests dropped over the past few years, last year, there were 11 people arrested in Bernalillo County for DWI on New Year’s Eve and 24 were arrested on New Year’s Day. On average, 18 people are arrested every day in Bernalillo County on DWI charges. So far this year there have been 677 alcohol-related crashes in Albuquerque, which is a 27-percent decrease from last year.
“We have made a lot of progress with DWI over the years, but we are not going to let up,” Police Chief Ray Schultz said. “It continues to be a problem and we will continue to be out in full force cracking down on people who don’t drink responsibility.”
The last time someone was killed on New Year’s Day by a drunken driver in Albuquerque was Jan. 1, 2008. Josephine Laweka and her boyfriend, Marvin J. Garcia, died when Micah Henry, a military police officer, ran a red light at Fourth and Menaul and slammed into their truck instantly killing the Northern New Mexico couple.
Chief Schultz encouraged people who are considering drinking this holiday to call the Bernalillo County Safe Ride program at 242-RIDE.
Motorists arrested for their first DWI in New Mexico face up to 90 days in jail, 6 months to one year license revocation, DWI school, ignition interlock for one year, and community service. Multiple offenders could face three years in prison, lifetime license revocation and a $5,000 fine.
Under city ordinance, anyone arrested for DWI can have their vehicle seized. APD, however, only seizes vehicles from motorists who have been arrested for multiple DWI offenses. APD will be seizing vehicles on New Year’s Eve.
