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| 18 June 2001 - San Diego Police Gazette East county launches new "Bartender" DUI campaign There’s nothing like a sun-splashed outdoor media event to deter drunk driving, but this one, happily, contained a non-lemon twist. The model ‘bar’ tenders wore badges and carried guns, vowing by inference to intensify their vigilance in society’s eternal quest for sober roadways. Sponsored by the Communities Against Substance Abuse coalition, which seeks to eradicate dangerous addictions, the campaign began on June 18 with the debut of a billboard. Beneath the headline “Drunk Drivers Meet Your New Bartenders,” five San Diego peace keepers stare sternly at the viewer. The billboard, located at the corner of Campo Road (S-94) and Jamacha Road, was funded by the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Discount Tires, and Lamar Advertising. Several speakers spoke to the issue with conviction, among them the CHP’s El Cajon Captain Steve Lykins: “We still have over 100 people a year killed in San Diego County because someone chose to drink and drive. “Obviously, we still have much work to do and every agency here is committed to preventing these tragedies. “We are fortunate in the East County to have such a cohesive and cooperative effort among the different law enforcement agencies. We work together well,” Lykins said. During the campaign, which will continue through summer, the agencies will be conducting periodic DUI checkpoints and roving patrols. In addition to drunk-caused fatals in San Diego County, 2,832 people were injured in DUI crashes during 1999 (last available). The cops are really trying, however, and the numbers bear out their efforts. In 1999, local agencies arrested 14,461 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol, resulting in 11,170 convictions. During the same period in East County, 2,256 DUI drivers were apprehended and 1,782 resulted in misdemeanors. Radio traffic reporter Monica Zech also spoke at the news conference. Her dad, a pedestrian, was killed by a drunk driver. |
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