DUI Arrests Up 54 Percent So Far This Year
PD is seeing higher numbers of drivers under the influence of alcohol, narcotics
In the first five months of 2012, Mahwah Police made 60 DUI arrests, a 54 percent increase over the number of arrests made over that same period last year.
According to Police Chief James Batelli, the bump in arrests has been building over the past several years, and the trend is one that can be seen all across the state. “We are seeing arrest and fatality rates rise across the state, what’s happening in Mahwah is a snapshot of a bigger societal problem,” he said.
Still, Batelli called the number of DUI arrests in Mahwah so far this year, “significant and concerning. In addition to a higher number of drivers on the roads who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, we are also seeing blood alcohol levels that are extremely high, three or four times the legal limit.”
|
Month |
# of Arrests (Jan – May) 2012 |
# of Arrests (Jan – May) 2011 |
% Increase |
|
January |
6 |
6 |
0 |
|
February |
11 |
6 |
83% |
|
March |
13 |
6 |
116% |
|
April |
19 |
9 |
111% |
|
May |
11 |
12 |
-8% |
|
TOTAL |
60 |
39 |
53.846 % |
In New Jersey, the DUI, or “Driving Under the Influence” law does not discriminate between those driving while under the influence of alcohol, and those driving under the influence of drugs.
In Mahwah, Batelli said the PD has seen a significant increase in the number of arrests made of people driving under the influence of narcotics – both prescribed and illicit.
The increase is at least somewhat the result of “better trained officers,” he said. Several Mahwah cops are now trained “Drug Recognition Experts,” who can conduct field tests to determine whether or not drivers have drugs in their system.
More non-residents than Mahwahians make up the 60 arrests so far this year, as the township sees a lot of through traffic from drivers heading to bars that are open later in NY State. “But, we are seeing arrests everyday of the week, at all times during the day,” Batelli said.
|
Day of the Week |
# of Arrests (Jan – May) 2012 |
# of Arrests (Jan – May) 2011 |
|
Monday |
3 |
4 |
|
Tuesday |
4 |
2 |
|
Wednesday |
6 |
3 |
|
Thursday |
9 |
3 |
|
Friday |
11 |
7 |
|
Saturday |
12 |
12 |
|
Sunday |
15 |
8 |
|
TOTAL |
60 |
39 |
In an effort to combat the trend, Batelli said the PD is looking to start a TIPS program with local restaurants, which will train bartenders in cutting off customers, continue Public Service Announcements and DUI checkpoints, and increase patrol. “Historically, summertime is the worst time of the year for DUI arrests,” he said. “If that’s true this year, we will have an unfortunate record number of arrests on our hands.”
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WW
1:31 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I wonder how much this increase has to do with a HUGE new Irish Pub opening in the area?
Roger Pachiderm
1:54 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
It is so the Irish. You know when they build a mall we are going to have a lot of Irish people from Pearl River coming. Lord knows we do not want those types coming. Judging from the details of the story saying it is a increase in officer awareness in people driving under the influence of prescription and illicit drugs my guess it could be that large new Walgreens and CVS really behind it.
I still like the idea of blaming the Irish it is very turn of the 20th Century and everyone seems to want go back to a more 'perfect' time.
Tom Murphy
4:14 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I am going to blame the Irish too.
myrents2damhigh
4:18 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Roger, I got news for you. Blaming an ethnic group of the ills of society is not turn of the century. It's current events.
Roger Pachiderm
4:26 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
We can agree on that!
WW
9:25 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
My comment was in NO way blaming any ethnic group..........I am Irish lol. I just meant that a new HUGE BAR opened up this year and its so popular that for the first few months they had to have valet parking and for some events even had to have off site parking and bus the people to the Bar................Having a huge new popular BAR where people drink in the area.................and they drive home from drinking at this bar which means they drive THRU this area...............could and probably WOULD increase driving under the influence in this area. I said Irish pub instead of posting the name of the establishment. I have been there my self for lunch and dinner and did NOT drink its very nice and I am not so much blaming the bar as each person makes their own decision...........................but if you serve it the drinkers will come and many will drive.
Harry
8:58 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
I will not name the town or bar that we did this out of. On New Years Eve Budwieser brewing Company paid for local taxi service for intoxicated drivers to get home. In the late 70's through the mid 80's we made a deal through one of their salesman where this was EVERY night. It saved who knows how many lives and also was great publicity for Budwieser. I am sure this could be put back into action. I am not saying that it is okay to get drunk like that but it did a great public service.
harry ballzz
4:49 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
thats why i dont drink in that town,1
Andy Schmidt
11:08 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
You can - just take a cab afterwards.