Published: May 29, 2009 09:32 pm      

Memorial Day weekend checkpoint a success

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The Memorial Day weekend sobriety checkpoint set up by the Mt. Vernon Police Department was a success, according to MVPD Chief Chris Mendenall.

“We were able to hand out information packets and we had several equipment violations, the big thing was the public awareness,” Mendenall said.

The police department teamed up with the Mission Possible Coalition to conduct the checkpoint, and information packets on tips for talking to teens about alcohol and a comment card was provided by the coalition for those going through the checkpoint. The checkpoint was set up May 23 at 10:30 p.m. in the 3000 block of Broadway.

Mendenall said eight officers were involved with the detail, and “well over” 100 vehicles were stopped. Officers inspected driver’s licenses and registration during the checkpoint detail. As a result, 24 violations were handed out for equipment; one for driving while licenses suspended; one curfew violation; and one loud stereo citation.

“We didn’t give out moving violations, because they were stopped at the checkpoint,” Mendenall clarified. “Equipment violations include things like headlights or taillights not working, driving without insurance, not having your driver’s license on your person and those types of violations.”

Another successful Memorial Day weekend was also reported by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, with the third consecutive year without a reported water fatality.

State-wide, during the weekend, the Illinois Conservation Police issued a total of 806 citations and more than 1,100 warnings to boaters. There were 29 drug arrests; 19 citations for operating under the influence; 14 warrant arrests; 11 citations for driving under the influence; and two boating accidents.