Petaluma Police Arrest 24 At DUI Checkpoint

PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma police arrested a total of 24 people for allegedly driving under the influence during two rounds of DUI checkpoints Friday night.

Between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at E Washington Street between Parkland Way and Executive Drive, law enforcement officers inspected 317 vehicles at the first location of DUI checkpoints. During this time, seven drivers were taken into custody for purportedly driving without a valid license.

A second location was conducted on Petaluma Boulevard North near Oak Street, between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Police screened 126 vehicles, and eight drivers there were arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked. Seven drivers were apprehended for alcohol-related DUIs.

One driver was taken into custody for a DUI related to drugs, while another was arrested for a DUI warrant.

Additionally, officers conducting routine patrols apprehended another DUI driver outside of the designated DUI checkpoints.

According to the police statement on Saturday, the selection of DUI checkpoint locations is contingent on areas offering the greatest chance of deterrence, as well as the highest level of safety for both officers and the public. DUI/Drivers License checkpoints have been shown to reduce fatalities and injuries resulting from DUI incidents.

Motorists found operating a vehicle under the influence and charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 to $20,000 in fines and penalties, along with a suspended license.

The Petaluma Police Department partnered with the Sonoma County Probation Department and California State Parks Rangers to carry out these checkpoints.


— Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.