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Crime & Safety

Expect DUI Checkpoints Through Saturday, Including one in Highland Park

Nearly 500 DUI arrests have already been made and patrols will be enforced through midnight Saturday, including joint patrols Friday evening with local police forces in Glendale, South Pasadena, Pasadena, Burbank and San Marino.

More checkpoints designed to ensnare drunk drivers will be going up on Friday evening, including one in Highland Park.

Among the checkpoints currently known to the press is in one that will be up from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Saturday at Figueroa Street and Avenue 52 in Highland Park.

It will be operated by the Los Angeles Policde Department.

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Nearly 500 DUI arrests were made throughout Los Angeles County since last Friday in the leadup to July 4, according to Avoid the 100 DUI Campaign.

Law enforcement officers from around the Southland have been out in force in a crackdown on motorists who drive while impaired during the Independence Day holiday period. The campaign officially began last Friday.

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"Most Americans may not realize it, but the Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes,'' said Wendy Brewer of the Avoid the 100 DUI Campaign.

"Often, Fourth of July celebrations start during the day, but last well into the night—making the dangers from impaired drivers even higher at night.''

The campaign is a coordinated effort among law enforcement agencies that includes increased patrols and sobriety/driver's license checkpoints.

"With Independence Day falling on a Wednesday, many in our community will be taking the rest of the week off, so DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols will be out in force,'' said Brewer, a Glendora police community service officer.

DUI arrest data collection will continue through midnight Saturday. Additionally, California Highway Patrol officers in areas patrolled by the state agency are also out in force.

There will be joint DUI patrols Friday with various local police forces in Glendale, South Pasadena, Pasadena, Burbank, San Marino and San Fernando.

Brewer urged people to follow these common-sense guidelines:

  • Plan a safe way home before a party.
  • Before drinking, designate a sober driver.
  • If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, use public transportation or use your community's sober ride program.
  • Take the car keys away from someone you know who is about to drive while impaired, and help them make arrangements to get home safely.
  • Call 911 if you see someone driving drunk. Funding for the Avoid Campaign is provided from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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