Huntington Beach Police Take Novel Approach to Reducing Drunk Driving

August 27, 2010 (Press-News.org) In an effort to curb drunk driving in Huntington Beach, California, police officers are considering some unusual tactics. Among other things, the Huntington Beach Police Department has announced that it may begin posting the names of people accused of drunk driving on its website.

Previously, those suspected of drunk driving were named in the Huntington Beach Independent, a local newspaper. With a shift in editorial policy though, the paper has discontinued this practice, and the Police Department is considering alternative means of conveying this information.

According to the LA Times, Police Lieutenant Russell Reinhart asserts that the publication of names is not intended as means of public shaming. Instead, he claims, publishing the names of the alleged drunk drivers helps to inform the public of the scope of this issue. Additionally, it helps to indicate that this is a high priority for the department.

Statistics seem to bear out the need for public awareness and department prioritization. When compared to similarly-sized cities in California, Huntington Beach has among the highest number of DUI arrests each year. The LA Times notes that the city has averaged around 1,700 drunk driving arrests over the past three years.

However, it is difficult to separate the relative severity of the issue from the aggressive pursuit of drunk drivers in the city. It is entirely possible that other cities would have similar statistics if other police departments focused as intently on this particular offense as the Huntington Beach Police Department does.

Furthermore, one might reasonably have concerns with naming people who have merely been accused of drunk driving. Even assuming that the Police Department has a good reason to publicize personal information regarding drunk driving, it seems that the information should be limited to those who are actually convicted of DUI, not just those accused of the crime.

This is not the first time Huntington Beach police have made headlines for a unique approach to addressing drunk driving concerns. Earlier this year, police began tracking the locations where those stopped for potential DUIs were having their final drinks. After compiling the data each month, police confront the managers of those establishments responsible for the final round to inform them that they may be over-serving patrons.

In addition to these localized efforts, California has seen an increased focus on DUI across the state.

As part of a pilot program established last year, anyone convicted of DUI in Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento or Tulare County is required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in his or her vehicle in order to obtain restricted driving privileges. Previously, only certain DUI offenders were required to install these devices.

With another new law passed last year, repeat DUI offenders are now able to obtain restricted licenses more quickly than they could before. However, they must comply with a number of conditions, including the installation of IIDs.

With the aggressive pursuit of drunk drivers and the long-term repercussions of a DUI conviction in California, it is important for those accused of drunk driving to ensure that their rights are protected. Anyone facing DUI charges should discuss these allegations with a knowledgeable California criminal defense attorney.

Article provided by Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP
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