Behind the Badge
The Tustin Police Department organized its first drunk-driving checkpoint in roughly a year, an absence of activity prolonged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The exercise, funded as part of a $115,000 state transportation grant, took place the evening of March 19 along northbound Red Hill Avenue near Industrial Drive. The location was chosen for statistical reasons, such as DUI collisions.
Officer Michael McJunkin coordinated the checkpoint alongside Sgt. Jason Wonser, who supervised the event. The checkpoint took about two weeks of planning, which included alerting nearby businesses and even county transportation authorities because of the bus stops affected.
Approximately 20 personnel worked the checkpoint, included a group of cadets who helped keep the stats as cars churned through the lines delineated by orange cones. For most of the cadets, the checkpoint also served as their first ever.
At the briefing prior to the checkpoint starting, McJunkin instructed the group to keep their initial interactions with drivers brief and friendly, mostly asking for their license. But having the officers wearing masks as a COVID-19 safety precaution was going to make at least one fundamental thing more difficult.
“We might not smell impairment as well,” McJunkin said, referring to when officers can immediately sense alcohol or drug odors in a car.
Tustin Officer Cody Clay checks for a valid driver’s license as he evaluates each driver directed to him during the Tustin Police DUI checkpoint on Red Hill Avenue.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Safety was stressed during the checkpoint, which could be potentially unsafe for officers as they stood in the middle of the street near potentially impaired drivers.
“Officer safety is paramount at these things,” Sgt. Jeremy Laurich said.
“We can’t stress officer safety enough,” McJunkin added. “It’s the first time bars are open inside, and it’s still technically St. Patrick’s Day weekend.”
After several hours that went into the early morning hours of March 20, the checkpoint resulted in officers contacting approximately 600 vehicles. Of those, they issued about 20 citations for various violations — most for unlicensed driving — and one person was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and driving on a suspended license. Officers also conducted field sobriety tests during the checkpoint.
Tustin Police Explorers help with record keeping at the checkpoint.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Officer Bradley Schultz runs a driver through DUI testing during a recent checkpoint. The driver was cleared and allowed to drive away.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
A Tustin police officer asks to see a valid driver’s license during a checkpoint. The driver’s face was blurred.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Officer Zach Swart stops every third or forth car, depending on how busy it is, and directs them to the lane for routine questioning at the checkpoint in Tustin.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Officer Bradley Schultz conducts a visual test on a woman stopped during a DUI checkpoint as Officer Chelsea Martin observes. The woman was released after passing the test.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Officer Merwin Caiza talks to a woman as she waits for a friend to come and drive her home after she was unable to produce a valid driver’s license at a checkpoint.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Officer Ryan Newell conducts a DUI test on a driver at a checkpoint as Officer Taylor Babb, left, observes.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Officer Chelsea Martin asks or a valid driver’s license during a checkpoint, with Officer Michael McJunkin behind her. The driver’s face was blurred.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
