Buffalo Grove Police: Reporting Drunken Drivers Could Earn You Cash

The Buffalo Grove Police Department is encouraging area residents to call 911 if they witness someone who appears to be driving drunk in town. And if those reports lead to a DUI arrest, the caller could receive $100.

The initiative, labeled the “Drunkbuster Reward Program,” is part of a partnership the Buffalo Grove Police Department has with Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists.

The department has participated in the “Drunkbuster Reward Program” since 2005, and is looking to increase community awareness about the initiative.

The program encourages citizens to report possible drunken drivers to the police. Erratic driving, observation of the driver consuming alcohol and hit and run crashes are all examples of when someone should contact police, according to a news release. Other reasons may include the inability of a driver to maintain their lane, excessive speeding, and improper braking.

Should the reporting of a drunken driver result in that driver’s arrest for DUI, police officers are able to submit the reporting caller’s name to AAIM, which will provide the caller with $100 for their tip, according to Buffalo Grove Police.
Residents are reminded that a police officer must witness the driving prior to stopping the vehicle--they cannot simply go off of the tipster’s information, police said.

This program is funded entirely through court fines paid by drunken driving offenders.

To date, AAIM has awarded over $583,000 and removed over 5,830 impaired drivers off roadways. The Buffalo Grove Police Department has reported 44 Drunkbusters to AAIM since 2005.

“The department emboldens residents to assist us in our efforts to curb drunk and/or intoxicated driving,” according to the Buffalo Grove Police Department news release. “If you witness a driver you believe may be intoxicated, please call 911 immediately.”

More information is available on the AAIM’s Drunkbuster website.