Date of Release:        November 4, 2008

Reference:     Sobriety Checkpoints / DUI Enforcement

Chief Michael J. Magnant of the Portsmouth Police Department, working with many of the NH Seacoast Chiefs of Police, Lt Scott Carr of the New Hampshire State Police Troop A, Sheriff Dan Linehan of the Rockingham County Sheriffs Department and Chief Eddie Edwards of the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission, will continue the effort to apprehend drunk drivers in the City of Portsmouth and other seacoast communities by conducting sobriety checkpoints.  One of these Checkpoints will be occurring in the Portsmouth area during the upcoming weekend.  This will be followed by DWI Hunter Patrols.

The Portsmouth Police Department is proud to have been selected as the test site for the NH Highway Safety  and the NH Liquor Commissions DUI Mobile Command Unit to be utilized at our checkpoint this weekend.  This high tech command unit will help officers to conduct field sobriety testing, process arrestees and detain drunk drivers.  The official unveiling of this unit will happen at the NH State House on November 13th at 9:30am.  For more information about the DUI Mobile Command Unit, please call the Coordinator of the NH Highway Safety Agency, Peter Thomson, at 271-2131.

Sobriety Checkpoints have had proven success in the apprehension of drunk drivers in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and elsewhere.  We are confident that upcoming checkpoint will be no exception.    Sobriety checkpoints are supported by the NH branch of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) and the use of checkpoints to deter drunk driving has been approved by the New Hampshire Supreme Court. 

Chief Magnant, Lieutenant Carr, Sheriff Linehan, Chief Edwards and other seacoast chiefs of police share M.A.D.D.’s determination to end this senseless crime.  Motorists are forewarned that we will make every effort to apprehend drunk drivers and ask that patrons of bars and restaurants in the Seacoast make the right choice: use designated drivers, cabs or call a friend; when you drink and drive you risk your life and put others’ lives in danger. 

For more information regarding this release, please contact Captain Stephen DuBois, 610-7572.