State Police To Step Up DUI Patrols For St. Patrick’s Day

March 16, 2012 7:21 AM

A police officer conducts a breathalyzer test. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Filed under

Heard on WBBM 780, Local, News, Syndicated Local

Don't Miss This

Pinball, Beer & Arcade Games: Check Out Chicago's Pinball Alley

Best Mini Golf In The Chicagoland Area

Best Burgers In Chicago: Paradise Pup

Don't Miss This

Pinball, Beer & Arcade Games: Check Out Chicago's Pinball Alley

Best Mini Golf In The Chicagoland Area

Best Burgers In Chicago: Paradise Pup

CHICAGO (CBS) — This St. Patrick’s Day weekend will be one of bacchanalian revelry for many, and police are warning those who partake to bring a designated driver.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Bernie Tafoya reports, Illinois State Police have put up billboards in the area thanking people for bringing along designated drivers.

“Locally, in the first two months of 2012, the Illinois State Police in District Chicago have issued 117 open alcohol arrests, and 202 DUI arrests,” said state police Lt. Paul Riggio. “Unfortunately, we’ve also experienced seven fatal crashes, three of which were alcohol-related.”

State police say drunken driving patrols will be stepped up this weekend.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Bernie Tafoya reports

State Police To Step Up DUI Patrols For St. Patricks Day

Malcom

how about setting up more patrols in crime infested neighborhoods? oh that’s right you can’t make any money doing that. Not to mention you will be percieved as racist.
Maria

Oh Malcolm, why should the State Police, who laid off quite a few officers because the budget, not be able to make arrests on St. Pat’s Day of any DUI’s?

Do you want these beligerent idiots behind the wheel of a 5k – 9k lb lethal weapon? I bet you would not have the same sentiment, if some drunken jerk would kill one of your family members?

Let them do the job we are paying them for, as for the IDIOTS that get behind the wheel drunk, I have no sympathy for them sorry. Better to save a life than save drunk driver, duh!
Malcom

how many people are killed by DUI’s in Chicago compared to gang and drug violence? lets see about 500 a year during the last 20 yrs ro . Nice stat. I bet you wouldn’t have the same sentiment if some bllack gang member killed one of your family members? I throw your logic and question back at you.

Maria

By the way… not that I like reliving it…
one of those 500 in 2003 was my brother, you sorry excuse for human being
So you know you know what… do the world a favor.. and SHUT UP!

Just Axin

Mal- Good point. Could one look at the state police as being a little racist assuming that a “white holiday” is going to attract a lot of drinkers (which it will)?You don’t see CPD setting up warrant check points on Bud Biliken day, do you?
Malcom

right on Just, at least you understand how the world works and how the money grab game is played.
Maria

I did lose my nephew to gang violence SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!???

What’s your point PRINCESS? THAT THOSE 463 KILLED LAST YEAR DIDNT DESERVE TO LIVE BECAUSE MY NEPHEW DIED AT THE HANDS OF A GANG MEMBER..??

I did not tell him to join a GANG NEITHER DID HIS MOTHER…

HE HAD A GOOD FAMILY
NO FATHER MISSING FROM THE PICTURE BOTH PARENTS GOOD JOBS
STUPID KID WAS BORED.. YOU THINK IT IS SO DAMN EASY TO RAISE A CHILD

THE WAY THE GIRLS ARE POPPING THEM OUT LIKE CANDY..
ITS A HUMAN BEING NOT A LINK CARD AND WELFARE CHECK
AND HOW ABOUT THE IDIOTS CLIMBING ON TOP OF OUR DAUGHTERS,
AT THE TENDER AGE OF 14 15 16 WHERE IS YOUR OUTRAGE FOR THAT IDIOT!!????

I DID NOT PUT A GUN IN HIS HAND OR THE IDIOT WHO SHOT HIM…
NOW WHAT GENIUS… T
HINK YOUR TALKING TO GRANDMA WHO DOESN’T K
NOW OR HAS NEVER SEE VIOLENCE GENIUS…

I WAS KIDNAPPED IN 1981 BEFORE DNA AND FORENSIC SCIENCE

YOU DON’T KNOW WHO ARE TALKING TO AND WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU ARE JUST ANOTHER IMBECILE ON A COMMENT BOARD

GO MAKE ANOTHER BABY YOU CAN’T TAKE OF… MORON!

Coco

Maria

I am so sorry that happened to you, this city has its low points and politics is
the least of it. I know what you are saying about how men ride a double-sided sword, they want to have sex and with your daughter… its sad really. I am so sorry about your nephew too. In a way I agree with you, these kids have no chores, no responsibilites, no wonder they are on add medication, I mean
when you and I grew up, we did not question anything and had NO TIME for nonsense! Parents laid down the law, you either obeyed or got your but kicked period.

Fear was a great motivator, these kids do not fear anything, not even death!
Jaye

I’m so sorry to know about your nephew. I wish that all of this would stop, but we know that it won’t. The people pay more attention to violence against animals than humans & that’s sad. I wish you all the best in what you do.

Memph Skony

You both have good valid points but by me staying in the area of the of the St. Patricks day parade I must say alot of the people will be drunk,and as being a black male in a middle class community I will say we need more police in lower class area’s. On a political note it’s safer and more money involved in dui checks. On a racial note not all black people have warrants, and all Irish people are not drunks.

Coco

Memph

I can appreciate what your saying, of course there are going to be a LOT of drunk people, but really those do not need to drive, this is the State Police not CPD we are talking about, it is going unusally warm for St Patty’s and the
cops are not used to that, if it was cold people would be staying drunk and indoors.

see the reason for their caution, we’ve been cooped up like animals and a little nice weather unfortunately brings out the crazies, doesn’t mean a few idiots should spoil it for all..

And I agree with you, of course its poiltical all about the benjamins, when will it ever be about the humans, maybe never, maybe in our lifetime. Perception, respect, humility, until those things change down to the very core of every human being, race and black chidlren dying on the streets of Chicago will not change, i’m sorry to say that, but its true.

If children aren’t encouraged to stay in school, if you don’t teach children self-respect and not to have sex or at least have protected sex, as long the church tells you do not abort or use a condom, unwanted children with be born to children, and when they get older and bored and feel that unwantedness,
they will seek family in the street. Its a vicious cycle.. it nevers ends.

Getting a diploma and the hope of going to college without bringing a child into the picture will change it. But education starts at home and with teachers who care. The system in Chicago is so broke for these kids.

Need to step up and do something! Become a mentor like I have, but even
that has not stopped me from attending funerals, AND I am so tired of funerals.