The Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office failed to make a single arrest while operating three area DUI checkpoints this summer. The latest DUI sting was conducted on Saturday, Sept. 5.
“No DUI arrests were made, but these checkpoints have been successful with the goals set forth in community awareness and prevention efforts, in spite of our limited resources,” said Sheriff Steve Nowlin.
According to data released by authorities, no DUI arrests were made as a result at any of the checkpoints. The first was held July 4 along U.S. 160 near the Ute Mountain Ute Casino, the second on Aug. 8 outside of Dolores during Escalante Days, and the third over the past Labor Day weekend on County Road G near the Cortez Municipal Airport.
Despite the agencies own data, Nowlin said increased DUI patrols were “successful in the detection and apprehension of intoxicated and impaired drivers throughout Montezuma County.”
During the two previous DUI checkpoints, authorities stopped every fifth motorist. This past weekend, officials stopped every third vehicle between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
During the Labor Day weekend, authorities observed five vehicles make U-turns prior to entering the roadside DUI checkpoint. Only one motorist was stopped for further evaluation.
Prior to the August and September DUI checkpoints, the sheriff’s office advertised both the date and location for the DUI stings. No public notice was provided prior to the July DUI checkpoint.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com