Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed a bill that would have set stricter rules for police in operating DUI checkpoints, including giving two hours notice of a checkpoint’s specific location.
The bill, AB1389, by Assemblyman Michael Allen, D-Santa Rosa, would have set uniform standards for how DUI checkpoints operate across the state, based on a 1987 state Supreme Court ruling, Ingersoll v. Palmer, that allowed the checkpoints if certain factors are met. Local checkpoints have been operated in accordance with the court’s ruling. But AB 1389 would have made some changes to local DUI checkpoints, including:
–Police would have had to provide at least 48 hours notice of the checkpoint’s general location and two hours notice of the specific location. Now, local police typically are as general as possible in giving the location, such as somewhere in Santa Rosa or somewhere in Sonoma County, and refuse to give a specific spot.
–Drivers who encounter a checkpoint could have avoided being stopped “by simply making a legal turn within the confines of the existing traffic laws.” Now, some drivers who turn away are stopped by officers.
In vetoing AB1389, Brown said, “While I understand there are concerns that sobriety checkpoints are being operated improperly, this bill is far too restrictive on local law enforcement.”
Brown, in his veto statement, singled out aspects of the bill that he apparently had issue with: The announcement of the specific location, “allowing drunk drivers to avoid detection altogether,” and the bill’s statement of preference for checkpoints to be conducted after dusk “even though fatal driving injuries involving drug use occur between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.”
DUI checkpoints are a key issue for Sonoma County’s social activists because in addition to arresting a handful of DUI suspects at the checkpoints, police often arrest many more unlicensed drivers. Those suspects typically are illegal immigrants who are barred under state law from getting licenses, so their cars often get impounded. That’s why nearly every local DUI checkpoint has activists down the street with signs in Spanish warning of the checkpoints. Their hope is that illegal immigrants will turn away from the checkpoints before it’s too late.
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Jim
Well, at least Allen’s other bill providing for not towing the cars of illegal aliens was passed. Passed over the weekend of course, but passed nonetheless.
We citizens are suckers. Why do we bother paying DMV fees? Why do we bother paying to renew our licenses? Forget it. If I get pulled over, I’m going to claim I can’t speak English and have no license. I’ll call a friend and my car will be picked up without being impounded. I’ll give a fake name and not pay the ticket. I’ll also make up fake information to get a Tax ID Number and file fake taxes to get a $4,400 refund from the IRS.
Citizenship in CA is a financial burden!! I have to pay fees, taxes, follow the law, pay full tuition, pay for busing, pay for meals, pay for car insurance for those illegals who don’t…I renounce my citizenship. As a non-citizen, I can’t be deported and have MORE benefits at NO COST.
October 10th, 2011 11:17 am
ROBERT KURPINSKY
MAYBE THE VOTERS NEXT TIME AROUND CAN VETO ALLEN.
October 10th, 2011 11:25 am
spp
Thank You Governor!
October 10th, 2011 11:48 am
Heather
I second everything Jim said
October 10th, 2011 1:17 pm
Art Perez
Yes, at next election lets also veto that moron liberal anti-american governor we have.
October 10th, 2011 1:28 pm
John
Ok Jim. Fine. Now prove it and leave.
October 10th, 2011 1:41 pm
Carleen
I stated earlier Allen is a twit!
))
I like Jims comment
October 10th, 2011 1:47 pm
????
What are you talking about John?? Jim is not going anywhere, he has just decided to quit being a responsible citizen so he can save a ton of $ on car expenses like illegal immigrants are now officially allowed too.
He has a very good point.
October 10th, 2011 3:02 pm
Hank
I AGREE WITH JIM AND ????
October 10th, 2011 4:24 pm
bill
Well this is proof again whomever said crime doesn’t pay didn’t live in ca. Where everyone comes up with excuses. Most of the immigrants feel they shouldn’t have to even apply for citizenship because it costs money and time. If they would atleast make an attempt I would be more understanding.
October 10th, 2011 7:41 pm
al bernhardt
Great now politicians are going to further encumber law enforcement by providing officers for valet parking of vehicles driven by those who insist on breaking the laws.Another word for this behavior is abetting.
Leave it to legislators dependent on donations from agriculture, to devise a method to skirt common sense laws I.e.drivers licensing, to insure under paid labor can drive to remote work locations (no public trans) with out proper qualifications at our peril.
What else could we pervert and twist till its value of protecting society at large is lost for votes and profits?Drivings a privilege not a right.Unless you can’t obtain a license, then the cops will park you car some where safe. Any liability if the supposed safe spot turns out not to be safe?
October 10th, 2011 7:42 pm
Jeff
The bad news: We let them turn Sonoma County into a police state.
The good news: i just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance.
October 11th, 2011 1:48 am
Joe H.
Michael Allen is Toast.
If he is not thrown out of office during the Primary, this independent will (hold my breath and lunch), vote for a Republican.
October 11th, 2011 10:17 am
rexfaktor
What if baby formula, alcohol, and gasoline were only sold to legal citizens? Just, what if…not that implementation is possible, but imagine that…
I like Jim’s comment too. But I waste money on all that crap to save time if I get pulled over…that way I don’t have to wait for a licensed driver to get there, I can just get a ticket so I can contribute more funds to the system to pay for our nice smooth roads, perfect-working traffic and street lights, and also six figure pensions for the guys sweating behind those desks to bring it all to us…
October 12th, 2011 6:01 pm