Drive-through DUI program parked

by Associated Press (June 16th, 2009 @ 5:38am)

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Comments:6

TUCSON, Ariz. - Any plans for placing Pima County deputies inside fast food restaurant drive-throughs to catch suspected drunk drivers has been scrapped.

Special operations commander Lt. Karl Woolridge said the program ``was never more than an idea, and the sheriff (Clarence Dupnik) would never have approved it.''

Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Doug Hanna told the Arizona Daily Star several local fast-food franchise owners and managers had agreed to let undercover deputies work their drive-through windows so they could spot drunk drivers placing orders. He said they were just waiting for corporate approval before going ahead.

Defense attorneys Joseph St. Louis, Michael Bloom and Brick Storts all questioned the legality of such a program.

Bloom said he wasn't sure undercover deputies had enough time to develop the ``probable cause'' needed to pull over drivers.

Last 4 Comments

• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Again- STONED people go for "munchies"

  Cheryl S

  Drunk people go to corner and Liquor stores for more booze.

  21927
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  No business in their right mind would do this

  Larry in Glendale

  As soon as word got out which places were participating their customers would disappear faster than an ice cube out in the desert.

  21910
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Another Big Brother tactic

  Michael M

  Wow! That fast food DUI idea was another "Big Brother" tactic. Kind of like PHOTO RADAR!

  21903
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Typical journalistic approach-

  Olphart

  shoot first, ask questions later.... Had anyone done their homework first, including the police agency prior to announcing this idiotic approach to law enforcement, they wouldn't be making excuses now.

  21885
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