Anything to get your mug free publicity Calvin College. Still popping up on occasion to post the usual hypocritic comment I see.  Gotta show how you need to send communication to yourself right here in River City!  Race and Party is still what gets your hackles huh Calvin.

No, the question is not the location, but the concept of stopping everybody at a particular location.  Hundreds of cars with drivers who would never drive impaired were backed up, while presumably there were no patrols in other areas. It is a PR stunt that is a poor use of police resources and does not target offenders. If you are paying 60 officers to be out until 1:30 in the morning, disperse them - have them rolling down all the highways and major roads. You'll find more offenders and the police presence and visibility will help keep the roads safer. I truly think that four arrests is piddling considering the level of effort expended. Consistency and commitment in enforcement and prosecution are the key - not something programed to be an item on the local news. 

Other ideas to think about:

http://www.trafficinjuryresearch.com/publications/PDF_publications/TIRF_Booklet.pdf

But that is first offense, and they still get probation or some terms they have to abide on a first offense, so maybe they will get the interlock if they pull a Paris Hilton.  I don't know, but they should.

A rumor I heard was that first offenders were pleading "nolo" to avoid the interlock requirement. Is that true?

So where's the best location to catch these sneaky drunk drivers?

Yup Khalil, that's why I am anxious to hear the results of the interlock device.  But people still have to get caught first, in order to be required for this device.

Seems to me that it doesn't matter whether we put up checkpoints or for that matter put a cop in everyone's car. As long as these guys get arrested, released and go right back to drunk-driving again (sometimes on the same day), the DWI campaign is a little like trying to bail out the Titanic with a teacup.

So that's 10 arrests related to DUI (four for DUI and six for pulling a Paris Hilton.  I don't count the two marijuana possessions as DUIs). 

Karla, what location on that highway do you think would have caught more? 

From the 6/2/07 New Mexican

Police stage major I-25 DWI checkpoint

Hundreds of cars backed up in the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 near the Algodones exit Friday night at the first major DWI checkpoint of the year. However, no drunk drivers were found during the first two hours of the roadblock, which was to continue until 1 a.m. today. State Department of Public Safety spokesman Peter Olson said at least 60 officers from the state police and other law-enforcement agencies were involved.

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From the 6/3/07 New Mexican

Roadblock nets four DWI suspects

Friday night’s five-hour drunken-driving checkpoint on the north-bound lanes of Interstate 25 at the Algodones exit resulted in four arrests on charges of driving while intoxicated. State Department of Public Safety spokesman Peter Olson said there also were six arrests on charges of driving on a suspended or revoked license because of previous DWI charges. Two other arrests were for marijuana possession, he said.

What do you mean Karla? 

Doesn't one have to go through that Algodones roadblock after one parties in Albuquerque or at one of the Casinos? 

Or was the checkpoint blocking going into Albquerque from the North?  What time of day was it?

They caught four people Karla, your words! Some publicity stunt! At least that day, four DUIS were pulled off the roads! I do agree with what you say here: consistent commitment of resources for patrols in the evening, making sure officers show up to testify, certainty of punishment and treatment, and zero tolerance for repeat offenders.

DUI checkpoints are publicity stunts.  The most recent one on I-25 near Algodones involved 60 officers  for over 5 hours and pulled over hundreds of people who would never drive drunk in a million years.  They caught 4 people for DUI.  I'm willing to bet that if that many officers had dispersed and covered other locations, their visible presence on the highway would have led to more safer driving that night and probably more DUI offenders would have been caught.

What is needed is a consistent commitment of resources for patrols in the evening, making sure officers show up to testify , certainty of punishment and treatment, and zero tolerance for repeat offenders.   

PC I cannot & will not argue with what you have said here! It was a judge, appointed, I was told, by GWB, who heard my case in Federal court, lucky me, and this judge influenced the jury at every turn! It was outrageous behavior from one who's suppose to be un-biased! The driver was sited for my accident. The officers were thorough at the scene! They even tested me. There was broken beer bottles in the truck & littering up the scene! Even the driver had to admit he had beer at lunch! He admitted to speeding as well! He no choice, his large dirt filled truck turned over after hitting my small 4x4! God was with us all that day!

This judge, name withheld for now, and the attorneys for the company, both big in the state, were anything but concerned with the damages done by ,what we were to find out, a "Repeat" offender! He's on the streets today! I on the other hand have done little driving since that day and I still grip something when ever we pass a large truck!

I can still hear the screams of my nephew! I had been knocked out as my head was on the side that the truck hit. My nephew was tugging at me calling out to me and as I came out of this state, not understanding what had happened, saw this large vehicle upside down in front of me. To this day I have nightmares about a little boys screams.

Yes, PC, you are so right, I was to find out that the courts/Judges can be woefully derelict in their duties! I'm working on a book about this day in my life which turned everything I once understood, all that I once knew and was capable of, upside down! The emotional and physical demands are real and haunt me yet today! That a judge could be so obvious in his slanted demeanor, oblivious to what his position as a judge demanded from him, screams justice be served. The fact that I was not responsible for this accident and yet was made a victim, once again, by this courts slanted version of justice, still blows my mind!

Don't ask about my counsel because that's another story! It will be aired in my book! Politics played a huge role in this accident being turned upside down! I intend to name the names of all involved! Every ugly detail of what I had to face after the accident, while in need of medical intervention that I could ill afford, only eventually to be assaulted by a man who "Dares" to call himself a judge! What my family went through & still does! What those who serve this evil never give a thought to! Lives forever changed because those professionals, who had the power to do what was right, could not get beyond the darkness they've sold out to! I took another ride, "Injustice Served!"

Bwah-ha-ha-ha, David.

In all seriousness, I am really anxious to see the effect/affect the ignition device will make.  I am a big advocate for that device (since our judges don't work).  Hope the device works.

If Judge Vigil goes to California, it will must be to see a cardiologist regarding that massive hemorrhage he gets when he sees the perp as the victim.

If the Guv really wanted to help, he should have asked Judge Sauer's permission to send New Mexico's Judge Vigil out to California to get a lesson on the issue from Judge Sauer.

No matter what our Guv has or has not done, and no matter how many drunk drivers are caught at the checkpoints, it is the judge's who keep releasing and seeing the same drunk drivers 8 to 14 times in their courtrooms.

Maybe you need to get the facts straight as I and others have seen real time action from the police since Richardson's in office! Never, until this governor took office, did I face a DUI check point! Since Richardson took office the road where I speak of all those crosses, has had numerous! I have been stopped and checked at least 3 times and I only use this road once a month! I have thanked the officers who have stopped us!

We have had to wait an hour or more at these check points and it's been worth every moment!

So say what you will, prior to Richardson taking office, I never was stopped once at a check point on this very dangerous road where I have also been a victim, serious accident, of a driver under the influence, driving a large, filled dump truck! He totaled my pick-up, almost cost the lives of two adults and a 5 year old! So I would say that I need not lighten up! Richardson was not in office when I was hit but politics sure came into play when court came around!

That said! I still say that this issue is and should be about someone who has willfully continued to ignore the law and would sacrifice another to do what they please! DUI kills and or can leave permanent damage to the living! I know!

Lighten up Barbara!!!!!  Calm down and try to comprehend what people have written here.   I personally don't give a rat's a$$ about Paris Hilton.  I do on the other hand have a "beef", with Richardson going around the country lyiing for his on self-promotion.  He's promoting himself by falsely indicating that NM has been tough on DWI when in fact just the opposite is true.  NM is the poster child for DWI leniency.  Richardson acts like the invention of the interlock device was the answer to DWI in NM.  You'd think with all the DWI tragedies in the last few years that DWI would have top priority in this year's legislative session but it seems cock-fighting took that bill.

You know having read these posts one wonders what the priorities of some people are! Some of you sound like you have a beef with the governor and this Paris issue is being turned around to air that. Get real! This is about a person who has not once but several times been caught driving under the influence, without a drivers license that was revoke for DUI & now, that she's had to face the piper, throws a fit! One of you without money and power behind you try throwing a fit under similar circumstances! See what it will get you? More time probably and another trial for contempt of court! What ever your feelings are about the Governor this women broke the law! A law that's in place to protect others from those who drive under the influence!

Keep your issues separate, or you have no voice, since the voice of reason is not what I am seeing here. Every time I go to town and see the pictures of those "Beautiful Young Folks" on the Billboard that were killed because of a dui it breaks my heart! Every time! All the crosses that are laid out from one end to the other on certain roads honor lives that were lost, and, also speak of the hearts of the living that were broken that day when someone under the influence decided to spit in the face of reason. Those who get behind the wheel under the influence, pure and simple, are criminals!

You've heard the expression, "Guns" don't kill people, it's the person behind the gun who does! This is the same principle! The only difference is that the DUI weapon is several thousand pounds of steel.

This needs to be checked out on Snopes.com.  It is a joke, right?   I wonder what the Las Vegas family thinks of this?  I almost hope they don't see the photo.  Billy Bob Big Pants seems to be laughing in everybody's face.  Pathetic.

Anything to get your mug free publicity Billy. With New Mexicos DWI and repeat offender status you need to send communication to yourself right here in River City ! Calvin C College 2007

I would much rather see Paris Hilton in jail then on the streets! I'd feel safer, if her sort, DUI'S, rich or poor, were not on the streets! I could also makes excuses for Paris, as that is my nature as well, but, I cannot in this case! She's a women, no longer a girl!

Spoiled she certainly is but that's no excuse for doing something that could forever alter the life of a family member who's loved one could become the victim, of Paris or another person under the influence! Paris has a choice, "We" sober drivers do not, especially with drunks on the road! Then everyone is fair game! Even the spoiled pampered person!

Sorry! I'll save my pity, compassion, for the victims of DUI and other road rages! Jail time, short as it is, has to be carried out! "We' have to remember the rest of the children, rich or poor, that may take their lead from Paris! They count too!

First I want to make it perfectly clear that I do not approve of what she has done! The reason she is the way she is (a spoiled brat) is because that is how we as a society have made her. Can you blame this poor girl for being on the verge of a breakdown, she made some mistakes and now has to answer to it, but she isn't use to that! Yes her parents have a lot to do with that, but do you not see that society has made these people above the law and everything. The only reason everyone gets excited when a celebrity gets in trouble is because we realize that they are just like us. Just richer and better looking! Give the poor girl a break.

June 8, 2007

This is one selfish spoiled to the max person! Children around the world are dying of malnutrition, being blown up in Iraq, millions of Americans living at poverty levels and all this girl can do is act in a way that certainly gives this nation another black eye. Since the black eye of another spoiled individual, a deceitful President, will not soon go away!

What is she crying about? I wonder how she would feel if she killed someone because of her willful drinking & driving! I am equally disturbed by the overwhelming media coverage of this selfish person! She is forever posing! Even when she was remanded to jail the first time she was posing like a mollycoddled fool who does not get it! Nor it seems does the media! Our children are watching!

This female needs some serious intervention! Sounds as if her mother may need some as well! What planet are these people from? What a sad state of affairs this nation is in when we honor some brat with so much air time! Our man & women and Iraqis are being sacrificed each and everyday to protect the likes of this brat! Who throws tantrums because she's unable to control the outcome, punishment, due her because of her egregiously dangerous actions!

If I were the judge this lady would get far more time then she already has ahead of her! She's a dangerous menace who shows no regard for the rule of law nor considers that she could kill someone! She will do it again! Only a matter of when! Paris Hilton is an accident waiting to happen!
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