PORT ST. LUCIE — Police final week carried out a roadside security checkpoint as a part of broader visitors enforcement initiatives, stopping greater than 200 autos on Crosstown Parkway over a number of hours.
The June 30 checkpoint on westbound Crosstown Parkway at Southwest Cameo Boulevard was the primary in maybe twenty years, Port St. Lucie police Cmdr. Leo Niemczyk mentioned. It started about 9:15 p.m. and lasted about 4 hours.
“It is not particularly concentrating on DUI, it is concentrating on any security violations on autos, equivalent to loud mufflers, distracted drivers, not correctly functioning gear, individuals with warrants, individuals with no licenses, individuals with out insurance coverage,” Niemczyk mentioned. “All this stuff happening within the metropolis in addition to DUI.”
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Niemczyk mentioned the checkpoint matches in with a much bigger give attention to visitors enforcement, security and associated points.
He mentioned visitors complaints, equivalent to aggressive driving, rushing or distracted driving, rank as prime points residents increase in telephone calls to police. Different causes behind the checkpoint embrace a stepped-up DUI enforcement program that started in October, and complaints from residents about noise from autos on Crosstown Parkway.
“I mentioned, ‘How can I mix all of those issues and attempt to strategy them from a distinct angle?’” Niemczyk mentioned. “We appeared on the checkpoint, we needed to strive it … to see if it was efficient, if we might get some publicity on it and lift consciousness to the issues that we’re coping with.”
Niemczyk mentioned investigators stopped each fourth car, and 235 autos went via the checkpoint.
“Of the 235 that got here via, solely 58 have been truly detained momentarily for violations to be addressed,” he mentioned.
He mentioned they wrote 32 warnings; two citations; made one DUI arrest; and three driving whereas license suspended with information arrests. Simply the particular person arrested on a DUI cost was taken to jail, Niemczyk mentioned.
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“It wasn’t concentrating on anyone particular concern,” Niemczyk mentioned. “It was simply making an attempt a brand new strategy to addressing numerous the driving violations that we’re observing and that our residents are observing and complaining about.”
A flashing message board as drivers approached Bayshore Boulevard alerted motorists of the checkpoint, permitting them to change their route in the event that they selected.
Ten law enforcement officials and two deputies participated within the initiative, Niemczyk mentioned. None are instantly deliberate sooner or later.
“The residents all appeared to have a optimistic interplay with the officers, the officers loved the interplay,” he mentioned. “Most individuals left as glad as they have been after they got here in, and hopefully they have been educated and hopefully we corrected some conditions.”
Will Greenlee is a breaking information reporter for TCPalm. Observe Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or attain him by telephone at 772-692-8936. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com
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