Full Notification

Officers from the Los Banos Police Department’s will be deploying during the month of December to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers in the Department’s ongoing traffic safety campaign. DUI Saturation Patrols will deploy on various days of the week throughout the month between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.

“The Department takes a zero tolerance approach towards driving under the influence. Our community like many others has suffered tragic loss as a result of impaired driving. This crime is avoidable and everyone should make plans for safe travel before consuming alcohol or drugs. Those caught driving impaired can expect our Department to treat the offense seriously. Help us keep this holiday season happy and designate a driver!”
-Christopher Borchardt, Police Officer

After falling dramatically for five straight years, figures for 2012 show an increase to 802 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver. From 2011 to 2013 collisions involving alcohol and/or drugs have claimed three lives in Los Banos and resulted in 46 injuries. Operations like this aim to reduce these senseless tragedies and bring awareness to our community about the dangers of driving under the influence.

DUI can impact the economy in addition to the pain and suffering of those immediately affected. Conservatively, a fatality has a $1.4 million impact, an injury $70,000, and a crash that only damages property averages nearly $9000.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Los Banos Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to continue to work together to bring an end to these tragedies. If you see a Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.

To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org