Last Friday KRQE reported that there has been a 23% decrease in DWI arrests so far this year in Bernalillo County (read it here). Back in March we told you about APD's decision to change the department's DWI policy. The new policy required that all DWI arrests will be handled by the officer who made the initial contact. The change was made to reduce overtime costs - which it did. Unfortunately, it also resulted in a drop in DWI arrests.
We first told you about the drop in DWI arrests back in April. At the time, our Eyes told us that arrests had dropped by 73% and alcohol related accidents were up 200%. Since that time, our Eyes tell us that the drop has remained at around a 73% to 76% decrease. More, the Eyes have it that the number of cases tried monthly by an ADA from the DA's office has dropped from 45 plus to the mid-teens.
Kelly's manager, Alfonso Serna, thinks people at Kelly's and other bars are being more responsible.We all hope that Mr. Serna is correct and that people are "getting the message." But there are some problems with the numbers.
"They're not drinking as much, alot of people are calling cabs and we're doing alot more of that than we have in the past," Serna said.
From January 1st through June 11th of 2009, there were a total of 3,170 DWI arrests in Bernalillo County.The numbers given to Channel 13 compare apples to oranges. APD provided an approximately 23 week aggregate that included the DWI policy change.
For the same stretch of date in 2010, that number is 2,446 DWI arrests.
Using APD's numbers, last year officers were making around 138 arrests per week. This year they're making 106 arrests a week over the same time period.
If we assume the new policy went into effect March 22nd and that prior to the 22nd APD was making more like 138 arrests per week and subsequent to that they were making around 106 arrests per week, you end up with 2790 arrests over the same 23 week period. In other words, a 12% drop in arrests once you take into account the policy change.
Understand there are a number of assumptions here. However, using rough numbers you can see that at least 12% of the drop can be easily attributed to the fact that officers are not making arrests. They simply don't indicate that drivers are "getting the message."
News 13 asked APD if the decrease has anything to do with the new policy enacted in March that requires patrol officers to make their own arrests after making a DWI stop.Look, there's a simple way to determine whether or not APD's just missing a whole slew of drunk drivers or if there has been a drop. Simply compare the pre-policy numbers from 2010 and 2009 to the post-policy numbers from both years. KRQE indicated that APD would be getting back to them this week. So far...
In the past, patrol officers could pass of the case to the DWI Unit officers.
APD says it's looking into that possibility.
13 comments:
Those #'s are still inflated by APD. If another officer is on scene and does the tow-in sheet only they too claim the DWI. Hence two, maybe more officers claim the same DWI and the stats are inflated.
If only the arresting officer claimed the DWI you would see the #'s drop drastically.
If another officer assists with only the tow-in the defense attorney will subpoena that officer also and you still have multiple officers required to go to court for overtime.
Darren is an idiot and not reducing overtime spending.
DWI's are down because all the firemen had to stop drinking. They'll be fired under this administration. They had to stop drinking or loose their jobs.
look at the officers stats. the numbers are down because the officers arent doing anything about it. That memo killed the officers, but leave to darren to put his own spin on things
HELLO - Channel 13 & Darren White - get the connection.
His he 47?????????????????????????????
I used to think that the people who said the Eye was editing out their opinions were paranoid, now I believe them.
Let's see if this gets thru: the Eye has become predictible & boring. Non-controversial and safe. they got to you, didn't they Eye?
PS: I also think it's a different writer.
"I used to think that the people who said the Eye was editing out their opinions were paranoid, now I believe them"
It's true, Wayne does filter out the really good nuggets of info....
HAHAHA Above "wayne is good at filtering"
Darren and TJ- Do you have nothing better to do than type that? You two are really worthless money grubbers. TJ-- you look like a pig at a matanza.
A great Intoxilyzer instructor (who was smart enough to leave) once told me to just book the 47 and don't worry about the rest. The important part is done. Boy I wish he would come back, he was a pretty smart guy and really cared about stopping DWI.
arrest barboa, he's a drunk driver.
let his ho go tho.
I just saw a guy get arrested earlier tonight for DWI. Apparently arresting one man for DWI requires that 3 APD cruisers and 1 BCSO be present. Is there a reasonable explanation for this overuse of resources?
Travis, Maybe they were making sure the officer was safe or maybe they were checking on their brother or sister making sure they don't need help. Or maybe the person being arrested looked funny. Why the hell do you care why there are that many officers there. You don't know if that officer called for back up or not!!! Your opinion stinks. Maybe when you are under arrest for DWI they will call a PSA and for sure your mug will be in the paper.
Most supervisors do not let you claim stats of another officer. The primary, or one who makes the arrest, claims the arrest. That is the way it is done. Anyone who claims an arrest that they only did a tow in on is a retard and is falsifying their stats. Mr. anonymous is wrong.
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