Petaluma Police Department Adds 2 DUI Officers Amid Uptick

PETALUMA, CA — To combat a recent uptick in the number of DUI-related incidents, the Petaluma Police Department announced that its Traffic Unit recently returned one DUI officer to duty and added another DUI officer using Measure U funding.

A DUI officer position was eliminated in 2018 because of staffing shortages but on Jan. 9, 2022, one DUI officer was assigned to each patrol platoon, therefore making seven-day-a-week coverage, the Petaluma Police Department said Thursday in a news release.

Measure U, a 1-cent tax sales tax to generate funds for vital city services, was approved by Petaluma voters in November 2020.

The DUI officers work a 4 p.m.-3 a.m. shift.

"While their primary focus will be DUI enforcement, the officers will also focus on traffic enforcement in high-collision areas and investigate traffic collisions," Petaluma PD said. "Both officers will be trained specifically in DUI detection and apprehension techniques, narcotic detection and traffic collision investigations."

DUI Incidents Up In Petaluma

In January, there were 15 DUI arrests and five DUI collisions in Petaluma, up from five DUI arrests and no DUI crashes in January 2021, police said.

During the first six months of 2021 in Petaluma, total DUI arrests were at 60. During the second half of 2021, DUI arrests went up to 120 in the city.

Currently, DUI is the third-highest cause of collisions in Petaluma. Last year there was one fatal collision in Petaluma and the driver who caused it was arrested on suspicion of DUI, police said.

Historically, DUI arrests and crashes increase toward the summer months.

While an increase in enforcement should help reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes, police said it is just one part of the department’s overall strategy. The Traffic Unit continues to do public presentations and educational projects, such as "Every 15 Minutes," to inform the community about the dangers of DUI and the alternatives, such as ride-sharing.

The Traffic Unit works with community partners, such as MADD and the Sonoma County Department of Health, to identify new prevention strategies to reduce DUIs, police said. The Traffic Unit also works with the city's Traffic Engineering Division to increase roadway safety based on investigations of past traffic collisions and was awarded a traffic safety grant that funds its DUI enforcement and prevention strategies.

"We are also seeking funding from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to assist us with identifying problem alcohol establishments and making sure servers have proper training," Petaluma PD said. "The Traffic Unit is going to start once again conducting DUI Checkpoints, which have proved to be a successful strategy to educate and prevent DUIs."

Police noted that impaired driving is not just from alcohol; some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving so it is important to follow directions for use and read warning labels. While medicinal and recreational marijuana is legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license, Petaluma police said.

"If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home."