June 2, 2008

Sobriety Checkpoint in Holderness

As a result of the increasing incidents of drinking and driving in the Lakes Region area, the New Hampshire State Police, in cooperation with the  Holderness Police Department, applied for and was granted a Superior Court Petition to conduct a Sobriety Checkpoint. 

The “Sobriety Checkpoint” is one of the most effective methods of detecting and apprehending the impaired driver. The program, approved by the NH Highway Safety Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, provides federal highway safety funds to support the checkpoint.

A review of records has shown that the use of alcohol by individuals who operate motor vehicles has resulted in an alarming number of deaths and personal injury accidents. The number of DWI arrests made in the Lakes Region continues to be high. Therefore, in an effort to maintain safe roads in Holderness, the New Hampshire State Police Troop F along with the Holderness Police Department will be conducting a Sobriety Checkpoint in the Holderness area during June 9-15, 2008.

Troop F Commander Lieutenant John Scarinza and Holderness Police Chief Jeremiah Patridge have taken an aggressive stance to prevent persons from driving when intoxicated.  New Hampshire has some of the most aggressive laws in the country to fight the intoxicated driver and the law enforcement community will use these tools to their fullest extent. 

A Press Conference will be held on June 6, 2008 at 1:00 PM at the Holderness Police Department to discuss the details of the checkpoint.

June 15, 2008 UPDATE

On Saturday June 14, 2008 beginning at 10:00 PM through Sunday June 15, 2008 at 2:00 AM the New Hampshire State Police and the Holderness Police Department conducted a joint Sobriety Checkpoint on Rte 3 in Holderness, just south of the Golden Pond Country Store. New Hampshire State Police Troopers also conducted a DWI Saturation Patrol in the area.

During the checkpoint, law enforcement officers checked approximately 187 vehicles that traveled through the 6 lane stations. The officers explained to the drivers that the sobriety checkpoint was the reason they were being stopped. All drivers that were not impaired continued through the checkpoint after producing their driver’s license and motor vehicle registration to the officers. The operation was conducted safely and did not impede the flow of traffic on Rte 3.

Six (6) subjects were arrested in the Sobriety Checkpoint and two (2) subjects were arrested during the DWI Saturation Patrol. Three (3) subjects were arrested for Driving While Intoxicated; two (2) subjects were arrested for Endangering the Welfare of Child as the result of having a child in the vehicle  and the driver having consumed alcohol but not at/above the legal intoxication level.  One subject was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Drug (marijuana), one subject for Unlawful Transportation of Alcohol and one subject for Operating After Suspension or Revocation.