News

Actions

Cinco de Mayo DUI patrols underway in the Valley

Posted at 10:48 PM, May 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-06 01:48:36-04

Cops will be spread out around the Valley Thursday and Friday night trying to keep us safe this Cinco de Mayo weekend. 

Various command posts are set up for the saturation patrols, like at McKellips Street and Miller Road in Scottsdale, where DUI suspects are processed, booked, finger-printed and then loaded into a cab to make the process more seamless for local law enforcement agencies.

Thursday night, five different law enforcement agencies joined forces at the command post and officials say Friday they’ll combine 7 departments.  Officers say typically they start to see a spike in stops after 11 p.m. The command posts will be set up until 4 a.m.

Phoenix police are trying to have some fun while they drive home the message on social media. They've been posting on Twitter using the hashtag #NoDUIsTonight along with clever memes featuring characters that regularly show up in social media feeds like the former DosEqui spokesman and a caption that reads “I'm not always designated driver, but when I am you drive home in style.” Another features Willy Wonka with the words “Tell me again how you only had 2 beers, better yet give me your keys.”

Agencies like Chandler police are using a grant from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety to fund the extra staffing for the holiday patrols.

Remember if you don't have a friend who wants to sit out on the drink, AAA’s tipsy tow is in full effect until six Friday morning. They'll tow you up to ten miles so you can get home safely.