News Release



For further information please contact:

Sgt. Larry W. Plunkett, Jr (573) 840-9500

plunkl@mshp.state.mo.us

#: 2005-01-03

Date: January 24, 2005



EMPHASIS: Troop E DWI Saturation Totals





Captain George Ridens, Commanding Officer of Troop E, announced the results of two sobriety checkpoints held in Scott and Cape Girardeau counties the evening of Friday, January 21, 2005. The checkpoints were held in cooperation with the Cape Girardeau Police Department and resulted in eight DWI arrests, (including two felonies), three minor in possession of alcohol arrests, one felony arrest for possession of marijuana, and thirty-seven warnings for various violations.



The checkpoints were held at areas identified by the Patrol for frequent alcohol related incidents and traffic crashes. Twelve officers were assigned to the checkpoints and a total of 185 vehicles were stopped at the two locations. The ages of those arrested for suspicion of DWI included one between the ages of 16-20, four between the ages of 21-29, two between 30-39, and one between the ages of 40-49.



Captain Ridens added, “This is the first in a series of DWI related activities planned for 2005 in Southeast Missouri. Although we were successful in removing several intoxicated drivers from the roadways before they were involved in an accident, we sincerely hope everyone will arrive at our next checkpoint sober or next to a designated driver.”



For more information concerning this or any other subject concerning the Missouri State Highway Patrol, please contact Troop E Public Information and Education Officer Sergeant Larry W. Plunkett, Jr. at 573-840-9500.