A "drunken driving sweep" program that began on Mother's Day last year celebrated its first anniversary over the weekend with another dozen DUI arrests.
Over the past 12 months, the saturation patrols have resulted in 165 drunken driving arrests, 21 drug arrests, 36 arrests for various other violations and 622 citations.Salt Lake police officer Dave Warner said the sweeps focus the combined resources of citizen volunteers and law enforcement officers in specific neighborhoods.
At 10 p.m. Saturday, 48 Mobile Watch volunteers and 13 police and Utah Highway Patrol officers concentrated on an area from 900 South to 2100 South and from I-15 to 300 East. Mothers Against Drunk Driving members helped out with support at a command post.
During the ensuing five hours, the citizen spotters and officers netted 12 drunken drivers. Warner said police issued 50 other citations and impounded 18 vehicles.
Warner labeled the yearlong effort a success and said the groups plan to continue the sweeps. "The support for it is growing," Warner said, noting that a number of businesses have asked to join in the saturation patrols.
Over the past year, 548 Mobile Watch volunteers have donated 2,740 hours to the sweeps, Warner said.