Seal Beach recently accepted a “mini-grant” to fund eight sobriety checkpoints.
The City Council agreed to accept the grant as part of the agency’s Monday, Nov. 9 consent calendar.
According to the staff report by Seal Beach Police Chief Jeff Kirkpatrick, the Police Department applied for $44,038.88 in funds primarily from the California Office of Traffic Safety to conduct eight sobriety checkpoints in Seal Beach.
“Although the city enjoys a low crime rate, the issue of Driving under the Influence of drugs and/or alcohol continues to be a problem affecting all areas of the city,” Kirkpatrick wrote.
In 2007, Seal Beach officers arrested 89 drivers for DUI. In 2008, officers arrested 108 drivers for DUI. As of Oct. 28, 2009, the Seal Beach Police Department had arrested 79 drivers for DUI.
Under the terms of the grant, Seal Beach will have until Sept. 6, 2010 to conduct eight sobriety check points.
That same night, the council accepted the donation of a Polaris Ranger utility vehicle for use by the SBPD. According to Kirkpatrick, the vehicle would be used during emergencies and for summer beach patrols.
The Ranger was donated to the city from the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company’s Operation Ranger program.
