I have been told by a number of persons that there are rumors floating around about the new county DUI Task Force. The purpose of this article is two-fold. First, I would like to dispel the myths that seem to be surrounding the Task Force. Second, I would like to give credit to those who assisted in its creation. I am astounded that the DUI Task Force has caused such a stir and protestations, and I am reminded of the words of Queen Gertrude in Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”
First, I have repeatedly heard from numerous sources that some people are complaining that the Task Force will be targeting bars, pubs and taverns. I have no idea as to the genesis of this rumor, but it is categorically false. The Task Force constitutes a roving patrol that will be given a large geographic segment of the county to cover over an 8-hour shift. While the patrol will occasionally be stationary, there is no intent to target any particular establishments, businesses, or eateries. It is a DUI Task Force – it will target drunk drivers, not bars and restaurants. There is no logical basis to conclude that a roving DUI-patrol is a concerted effort to target drinking establishments. It is shameful that some persons are willing to equate an effort to make our roadways safe with a governmental attempt to destroy private business.
Second, I have been told that some people are angry about the increased law enforcement presence in the county. This anger apparently stems from the irresponsible belief that they can safely operate a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol. One person actually said that he takes the dirt roads home, so his driving is safe and should not be a concern. In the last 18 months, Susquehanna County has seen 4 persons die at the hands of drunk drivers, and 2 of the fatal accidents occurred on dirt roads. In one of the fatal accidents, a family member of one of the defendants told me that a few weeks prior to the accident the defendant told her that he was careful when he drove drunk because he drove only on the dirt roads. Obviously, this mentality is not only ridiculous, but it may prove fatal.
Third, as to the funding, the program has been implemented without the use of taxpayer dollars. The patrol vehicle was purchased through law enforcement funds that were generated through the seizure of monies from defendants in criminal proceedings. The wages for the patrol officers will be covered through certain costs and fees that are paid by criminal defendants in the course of their supervision. Finally, the salary for the Task Force Coordinator has been covered by the Susquehanna County Drug & Alcohol Commission, which transferred $25,000 to Susquehanna County for the program. The $25,000 represents monies that have been paid to the Commission over the years by convicted drunk drivers in the form of costs imposed by the court as part of any sentence. I gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance and support that the Drug & Alcohol Commission has given to this innovative project. There are no county tax dollars being utilized for the DUI Task Force. Moreover, in case you were wondering, the municipal officers will also be conducting drug investigations, which will be funded through monies received from the state. In short, there are no county tax dollars being directly used in connection with the task force activities.
As with Queen Gertrude, I fear that these protestations are revealing of a darker issue, namely the permissive public attitude that continues to surround intoxicated drivers. This is a national phenomenon, and it is said that for every drunk driver arrested, there are another 2,000 that avoided detection. In reality, a single 8-hour DUI patrol over an entire weekend will not be able to stop every intoxicated driver. But it just may make a few people change their bad habits, and, if this happens, it is already a success.
Please submit any questions, concerns, or comments to Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 218, Montrose, Pennsylvania 18801.
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(Published 22 February 2007)