24 drivers cited and vehicles seized in checkpoint

Police say hit-and-run crashes are down 24 percent in Escondido because of its driver's license checkpoints program.

By: North County Times

ESCONDIDO -- Police cited 24 drivers and impounded their vehicles Monday when they failed to produce valid drivers licenses during two drivers license checkpoints, police said.

In addition. one person was arrested on an outstanding warrant, another was charged with possessing burglar's tools and a third was arrested on probation violation charges, officers said. In those cases, two vehicles were impounded, police said.

The citations and arrests occurred during drivers license checkpoints Monday morning in the 3400 block of East Valley Parkway, near the Mayflower Dog Park and on Washington Avenue near Kaille Lane Monday afternoon, said police.

On East Valley Parkway, 771 vehicles passed through the area, 713 were stopped and seven received citations for not having valid licenses, said officers.

On Washington Avenue, 410 vehicles passed through the area, 297 were stopped and 17 were cited for not having valid licenses, police said.

At least 1,400 vehicles have been impounded during Escondido checkpoints in the last three years, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.

The checkpoints and the policy of impounding cars have angered some community residents, who argue that the checkpoints are an unfair way of checking immigration status, particularly for Latinos. But police say hit-and-run crashes are down 24 percent in Escondido because of its driver's license checkpoints program.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09 ... 9_24_07.tx

Outstanding idea. I think all cities should jump on this.