That is, unless there is no money to fund police work. The world is alive with the buzz of tainted breathalizers. A year ago, DC realized their breathalizer system was innaccurate and the readings were tainted. Since this time, drunk driving arrests have decreased by nearly 40%.
Is it because there have been less people drinking and driving?
Surely, no.
Is it because police work has been able to prevent people from getting behind the wheel?
Again, most likely not.
Without breathalizers, police officers can only arrest people who absolutely fail a field sobriety test, and if they do, they are brought to the station for an expensive urine sample (7 times the cost per breathalizer). $75 pee tests have diverted officers from arresting suspected drunks.
The radio commented that it is a good bitter thing to have happen. On one hand: less likely to be arrested, on the other, more likely to end up in a dui related accident. The radio also made it seem like now is the time to go drinking and driving- however smart that may sound to you, DC will get their act together sooner rather than later, (hopefully they will get funding soon), and just think how screwed up your saturdays to come will be if you end up with a dui, or worse, hurting someone from getting behind the wheel. And that pretty face of yours in an accident.
This is one example of many that the police have had to deal with in regards to budget cuts, or the inability to recover from mistakes. The worst that I have found is the meth lab example. Meth lab cleanups tend to fall within the FBI jurisdiction. Federal funds are used to help states bear the burden of cleaning up labs, and as of February- the money well was dry. What this means:
Is it because there have been less people drinking and driving?
Surely, no.
Is it because police work has been able to prevent people from getting behind the wheel?
Again, most likely not.
Without breathalizers, police officers can only arrest people who absolutely fail a field sobriety test, and if they do, they are brought to the station for an expensive urine sample (7 times the cost per breathalizer). $75 pee tests have diverted officers from arresting suspected drunks.
The radio commented that it is a good bitter thing to have happen. On one hand: less likely to be arrested, on the other, more likely to end up in a dui related accident. The radio also made it seem like now is the time to go drinking and driving- however smart that may sound to you, DC will get their act together sooner rather than later, (hopefully they will get funding soon), and just think how screwed up your saturdays to come will be if you end up with a dui, or worse, hurting someone from getting behind the wheel. And that pretty face of yours in an accident.
This is one example of many that the police have had to deal with in regards to budget cuts, or the inability to recover from mistakes. The worst that I have found is the meth lab example. Meth lab cleanups tend to fall within the FBI jurisdiction. Federal funds are used to help states bear the burden of cleaning up labs, and as of February- the money well was dry. What this means:
- Labs are being found but not being cleaned.
- Police are forced to kick residents out of nearby buildings until the lab can be cleaned (or else it is a liability).
- The money ran out in February, and now that it is April, the budget has not been passed yet that allows funds to resume the cleanup process.
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