DUI Checkpoint Friday Night

A CHANGE IN POLICY?

For the first time in years the Costa Mesa Police Department told us where and when a DUI Checkpoint will be conducted!  In the recent past they've chosen to announce the date and time of the  checkpoints, but didn't tell us where they would be located, waiting to snatch up transgressors.

 BEAR AND BAKER...
The press release about this checkpoint is shown below.  Click on the image to read it more easily.  The event will be held at Bear and Baker Streets starting at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 15th and will continue until 2:00 a.m. Saturday, April 16th.  You've been warned!

DUI Checkpoint Is Productive

LATEST CHECKPOINT NUMBERS
In a press release today the Costa Mesa Police Department reported the results of the most recent DUI/ID Checkpoint conducted last Friday night, January 30, 2014.

GOOD RETURN ON INVESTMENT
According to the information provided in the synopsis of the report, below, nineteen (19) individuals who were violating laws were removed from the streets.  Despite what Mayor Pro Tem (MPT, pronounced eMPTy) Jim Righeimer thinks, this seems to be a pretty good return on investment for the time and effort expended. 

THANKS FOR THAT...
Kudos to the men and women of the Costa Mesa Police Department for making our streets just a little safer last Friday night.

 

(click on the image below to enlarge it for easier reading)

RALLY TOMORROW
Perhaps you will find the opportunity to express your gratitude at the rally planned at City Hall tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3rd beginning at 4:00 p.m., before the City Council meeting.  Both Police and Fire services will be honored at the rally to thank those folks for their dedication to keeping our city safe.  See you there.

DUI Checkpoints Yield Results

ANOTHER SUCCESS THIS WEEKEND
The most recent DUI Checkpoint in Costa Mesa Friday night, June 7th through Saturday morning, June 8th, once again yielded good results.  Six DUI-alcohol suspects were arrested and an additional 4 drivers were either cited or arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed and 5 more were cited or arrested for operating a vehicle while suspended/revoked.

BIG NUMBERS OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS
While a few folks in the community complain that these events are costly and not productive, the results demonstrate a different story.  The last three DUI Checkpoints over the past six weeks had more than 7500 cars pass through the checkpoints; 1754 were screened; 64 individuals had field sobriety tests and 20 were arrested for DUI-alcohol.  In addition, another 33 individuals were arrested or cited for other infractions and 27 cars were impounded.

CMPD, LED BY KHA BAO, ARE VERY EFFECTIVE
Members of the Costa Mesa Police Department consistently rank among the most effective in identifying and apprehending drunk drivers on our streets and receive awards accordingly.  Right at the top of the heap is Officer Kha Bao, who has snagged 640 drunk drivers over the past two years.  We've reported on his accomplishments several times in the past.

ANOTHER AWARD LAST WEEKEND
Most recently Officer Bao was recognized in Sacramento by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) on June 1st for arresting 208 drunk drivers in 2012.  This photos shows him at that ceremony holding his awards.

TARGETED ENFORCEMENT, TOO
Some of you may feel DUI Checkpoints are not effective tools to fight this problem in our city, but facts are facts.  Can targeted enforcement yield "more scalps"?  Yes, I think so, and so does Chief Tom Gazsi.  In the past he has stated that he planned to use that technique more, but that the DUI-Checkpoints will always be part of their arsenal to combat these particular crimes.

KUDOS, AND THANKS
So, kudos to ALL the members of the CMPD for their diligence in removing dangerous drivers from our streets, and to Officer Kha Bao for his continued excellence.

The Weekend Ahead In Costa Mesa

GROOVIN' WITH THE OLDIES
A good way to get an early jump on your weekend is to visit the First Friday Roadshow in the Costa Mesa City Hall parking lot.  From 6:00 - 8:30 you can wander through the rows of great old classic cars and hot rods, dredging up a little nostalgia, groove to the oldies played by the disc jockey and nibble tasty grub from a food truck.  Be there or be square.

SONORA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 50th ALUMNI REUNION
If you're a Sonora Elementary School alumni you can cruise on over a few hundred yards and re-visit your old haunts as the school celebrates it's 50th year Student Alumni Reunion from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.  Buy a Sonora t-shirt, make a commemorative tile for the 50th year tile wall  and visit with old friends.

DODGING THE DUI CHECKPOINT TONIGHT
On the way home don't get stuck in the most recent DUI checkpoint conducted by the Costa Mesa Police Department.  From 8:00 p.m. Friday, today, through 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning Costa Mesa officers will conduct the checkpoint somewhere in the city.  This highly effective law enforcement tool is funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  According to CMPD Lieutenant Greg Scott, "Over the course of the past three years in Costa Mesa, 547 DUI collisions have claimed one life and injured 247 of our friends and neighbors.  We arrested over 2,700 DUI's during those three years."

ELECTRONIC RECYCLING
Saturday, June 8th, there will be an Electronic Recycling Event in the City Hall parking lot from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Acceptable household e-waste items include televisions, PC systems, laptops, monitors, home entertainment systems, cell phones, desk top copiers, printers, fax machines, keyboards, DVD and VCR players, audio devices and loose wires in working condition or not.  They will NOT accept fluorescent lamps, microwaves, vacuums an cooling units such as refrigerators.  Here's your chance to safely dispose of that electronic junk accumulating at home.

RELAY FOR LIFE
Beginning Saturday, June 8th at 9:00 a.m. and continuing until 9:00 a.m. Sunday, June 9th the American Cancer Society Relay For Life event will be held at Costa Mesa High School.  Join your neighbors as they run for this excellent event.  If you're not a runner you can still contribute.  For more information about participating teams and the schedule of events visit www.relayforlife.org/costamesaca.

Motorcycle Safety Enforcement and DUI Results

TARGETED MOTORCYCLE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT
Today the Costa Mesa Police Department announced that for three weeks in June - June 1-22 - it will conduct a "specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation" in an attempt to lower deaths and injuries.  Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur.  They will be focusing on speeding, making illegal turns and driving under the influence.

ACCIDENTS BACK UP
According to the press release, motorcycle fatalities saw a drop of 37% from 2008 to 2010, but rose nearly 18% in 2011.  Since January 2010 there have been 97 traffic collisions involving motorcyclists in which 91 people were injured and one was killed.

FUNDING
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

   


DUI CHECKPOINT RESULTS
Earlier this week the Costa Mesa Police Department announced the results of the most recent DUI/Drivers License checkpoint conducted Friday, May 24th along northbound Newport Boulevard at Flower Street between 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Saturday.

8 DRUNKS ARRESTED, PLUS...
According to the announcement, 2,941 vehicles passed through the checkpoint.  618 were screened.  23 Field Sobriety Tests were administered and 8 DUI-alcohol suspects were arrested.  Additionally, 1 DUI-Drug impaired suspect was arrested; 1 drug suspect was arrested; 6 drivers were cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed; 2 drivers were cited/arrested for operating a vehicle while suspended/revoked and 9 vehicles were stored or impounded.

COST EFFECTIVE EFFORT
The announcement tells us that these enforcement/education efforts have demonstrable positive results and yield cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent.  And, of course, these checkpoints are conducted using grant funds, not general fund budget dollars.

DUI Checkpoint Planned For Friday Night

ANOTHER DUI CHECKPOINT TOMORROW
Just a reminder... Don't start your holiday weekend with a drunk driving arrest!

FULL TEXT OF THE MESSAGE
The Costa Mesa Police Department announced today that they will be conducting another in their series of DUI checkpoints somewhere in the city beginning at 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 24th and continuing through 3:00 a.m. Saturday, May 25th.  You can read the text of their announcement HERE.

GREAT "RETURN ON INVESTMENT"
As you read in that message, DUI Checkpoints such as this one produce a great "return on investment" in addition to keeping dangerous impaired drivers off the roads.

HAVE FUN... BE SAFE
Have a wonderful holiday, but don't drink and drive.

Distracted Driving Crack Down In April

THEY'RE GONNA GET YA!

The Costa Mesa Police Department issued a press release today announcing that, as part of the Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the CMPD will be actively ticketing those texting or operating hand-held cell phones during the month of April.  Drivers will be cited without warning and will receive tickets costing $159 for the first offense and at least $279 for each subsequent ticket.

MANY AGENCIES INVOLVED
This focused enforcement is in response to what has been described as a "serious traffic safety concern".  The press release tells us that "In recent years, hundreds have been killed and thousands seriously injured in California as a result of collisions that involved at least one driver who was distracted."  Due to the seriousness of the problem, more than 225 local agencies plus the CHP will be conducting zero tolerance enforcement during April.

INFORMATION FROM THE CHIEF

CMPD Chief Tom Gazsi is quoted as saying, "We all know that talking on our cell phones while driving is distracting, but that doesn't stop some people from continuing to do it.  This effort is intended to educate our community about the dangers of cell phone use while driving.  We hope that once people see the statistics and realize the danger involved, they will change their driving habits to help protect themselves, their families and others on the road."

YOUNGER DRIVERS ARE THE WORST

According to the press release, younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.  It goes on to say that texting while driving can delay a driver's reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver.

ANY CELL USE IS DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING

The release also quotes studies that show there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in 'inattention blindness" which occurs when the brain isn't seeing what is clearly visible because of the drivers' focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road.  The phrase "cell phone zombie" is used to describe that situation.


TIPS

The CMPD suggests the following tips:

• Turn off your phone and/or put it out of reach while driving
• Include in your outgoing message that you can't answer while you are driving
• Don't call or text anyone at the time when you think they may be driving

SEPARATELY... ANOTHER DUI CHECKPOINT FRIDAY NIGHT

In a separate release the CMPD tells us that another DUI checkpoint will be conducted somewhere in the city beginning Friday night at 8:00 p.m. and extending into Saturday morning at 3:00 a.m.  Historically, these events have proven to be excellent educational tools - unless you're Mayor Jim Righeimer, who just doesn't like the inconvenience when he's in a hurry.  That's another story.

DON'T SAY WE DIDN'T WARN YOU!

So, be careful out there.  No drinking and driving.  No texting while driving.  You've been warned.

Don't Blink!

DON'T BE LATE...
Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 2, 2012, the Costa Mesa City Council will hold what may well be the shortest regular meeting in recent history beginning at 6:00 following a Closed Session at 5:00.  You can read the agenda for the meeting HERE.

CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANTS
One item on the Consent Calendar is interesting.  This involves the acceptance of $160,000 in grant funds to support DUI Check Points and other Special Enforcement activities through September, 2013.  The City has had great success with similar grants in the recent past.  Read the staff report HERE.

Among the specific project objectives from both grant agreements are:

• To conduct ten (10) DUI/DL checkpoints by September 30. 2013.
• To conduct fifteen (15) DUI saturation patrols by September 30. 2013.
• To conduct ten (10) special traffic enforcement operations targeting red light, excessive speed and other violations a or near intersections with a disproportionate number of traffic collisions by September 30. 2013.
• To conduct four (4) special enforcement operations targeting distracted driving violations by September 30, 2013.
• To conduct two (2) highly publicized special motorcycle safety enforcement operations in an area or during an event with a high number of motorcycle incidents or collisions resulting from unsafe speed, DUI, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, improper turning and other primary collision factor violations by motorcyclists and other drivers by September 30, 2013.

The dollars involved in these grants will be used to offset overtime, professional development and equipment costs.

ANOTHER RFP BITES THE DUST
The final item on the agenda is the request to cancel the Request for Proposals for Street and Storm Drain Maintenance Services, HERE.  This item is a year old and the City has received NO responses to the RFP.  In the meantime, the City has reorganized part of the Maintenance Services Division, reduced staff, shuffled employees around and hopes to maintain a high level of service as a result.  The request to receive and file the report includes an authorization for staff to rescind layoff notices for five (5) positions.

MAYBE HOME BEFORE 7?
Unless we have 50 people speak during public comments - or candidates, residents and council members get into another shouting match - it's very likely that this meeting will end before 7:00 p.m.  We can only hope.  The next meeting will be on the 16th - one day after the GREAT CHARTER DEBATE between Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer and former councilwoman Katrina Foley and two days before the final candidate forum..

CMPD Receives Traffic Safety Grant

OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY
In a press release today the Costa Mesa Police Department announced the receipt of very significant grant funding from the Office of Traffic Safety to be used to improve traffic safety in our city. I've published the text of that press release below, but the titles and emphasis is mine.

GOOD NEWS FOR US ALL
This is more good news for the residents of Costa Mesa and the visitors to our city. At a time when the CMPD is trying to find ways to continue to provide excellent service to our community despite severe staff reductions imposed by the current City Council, grants such as this one help maximize the effectiveness of our resources.

PRESS RELEASE TEXT:

NEW EQUIPMENT AND ENFORCEMENT MEASURES
Costa Mesa Police Department has been awarded a new traffic safety grant for a year-long program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways. The $183,448 grant awarded by the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to Costa Mesa will aid in the city’s ongoing effort to improve traffic safety and the quality of life. New equipment purchases and special traffic enforcement measures will be instituted by the Costa Mesa Police Department as part of an on-going commitment to keep our roadways safe through both enforcement and education.

CHIEF GAZSI SIGNS IN
“The Costa Mesa Community and Police Department are grateful for the ongoing support from the Office of Traffic Safety in supporting our DUI enforcement endeavors,” said Costa Mesa Police Chief Tom Gazsi. “We do believe that these valuable programs save lives and help in educating the community.”The grant will assist in efforts to deal with traffic safety problems and to reduce the number of person skilled and injured in traffic collisions. Traffic deaths from all causes declined in California by 11.9 percent, from 3,081 killed in 2009 to 2,715 in 2010. While alcohol impaired deaths saw a sharp decline last year, DUI deaths remain the largest sector, at more than 30 percent of traffic fatalities.

TARGETED ENFORCEMENT
The grant activities will specifically target DUI offenders, Motorcycle Safety, drivers with suspended or revoked licenses, red light running, speeding, and seatbelt violations. This will be done through the use of DUI/driver’s license checkpoints, special enforcement operations, and court stings where DUI offenders with suspended or revoked licenses get behind the wheel after leaving court.

KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON
“Thanks to the dedicated hard work of agencies like the Costa Mesa Police Department, California has the fewest traffic fatalities since 1944,” said OTS Director Christopher J. Murphy. “While this is good news,we know that only by keeping the pressure on through enforcement and public awareness can we hope to sustain these declines and save lives.”

DUI CHECKPOINTS
DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints are a key component of the grant. These highly visible, widely publicized events are meant to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent.

SPECIAL TRAINING
This grant also provides drug impairment training to help combat the increasing problem of drivers under the influence of legal and illegal substances. Grant funding will allow 2 officers to receive specialized training to detect impaired drivers under the influence of legal and illegal drugs. This training will provide on-the-spot assessment of drivers suspected of drug impairment.

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY
For a third year in a row, at least 2 special motorcycle safety enforcement operations will be conducted as part of the grant. Motorcycle fatalities have finally dropped in California, following a decade long rise in deaths. In 2010, 353 motorcyclists were killed, a 37 percent drop from the all time high for California in 2008.

EIGHT MONTHS OF SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT
Costa Mesa Police Officers will be conducting specialized enforcement efforts throughout the next eight months. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas and events where motorcycle crashes and incidents have occurred. Officers will be cracking down on traffic violations made by regular vehicle drivers and motorcyclists that result in far too many motorcycle collisions, injuries and deaths.

LOOKING FOR ZERO DEATHS
“We are on the right path with declining fatalities,” said Murphy. “We have to stick to that path so that some day we can reach the vision we all share – Toward zero deaths, every 1 counts.”

OTS VIA NTSA
Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DUI Checkpoints Announced

ATTENTION JIM RIGHEIMER!

FROM A RECENT PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CMPD
The Costa Mesa Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting DUI/Drivers License checkpoints as well as several special DUI Roving Saturation Patrols during the month of December.

• DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint is set for December 11, 2010, from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at Harbor Boulevard/Victoria Street.
• DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint is set for December 17, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at 17th Street/Raymond Avenue.
• Roving DUI Saturation Patrols will be deploying on December 4, 7, 18, & 31, 2010, between 7:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

Since 2007, DUI collisions have claimed 7 lives and resulted in 224 injury crashes harming 319 of our friends and neighbors in Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa Police Officers have arrested 3,796 DUIs during the same period.

Statewide, overall traffic deaths declined by 23 percent, from 3,995 in 2007 to 3,081 in 2009.

Total traffic fatalities are at their lowest levels in six decades. DUI deaths declined by 16
percent, from 1,132 in 2007 to 950 in 2009.