SELMA – The Selma Police Department conducted a DWI Checkpoint on US 301 at Highway 39.
Approximately 30 officers from Selma and surrounding agencies participated in the four hour checkpoint, Friday night into early Saturday morning.
“The goal is to prevent DWI’s from occurring in the Town of Selma,” Police Chief J.A. Hughes said. “We’re trying to take drunk drivers off the road.”
Officers made a total of 6 drunk driving arrests, arrested 8 others for various offenses, seized two guns, marijuana, cocaine, mushrooms, and prescription pills. They also served 7 outstanding arrest warrants.
Fourteen motorists were cited for driving without a license, 6 for driving on a revoked license, 6 for possessing an open container, one for no insurance, one for carrying a concealed weapon, and one person was cited for operating a vehicle with a blue light.
Emily Ferraro, Court Monitoring Specialist with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), was at the checkpoint. Ferraro said it is important to keep impaired drivers off our roadways, especially this time of year.
In addition to Selma Police, other participating agencies included Smithfield Police, Wilson’s Mills Police, Four Oaks Police, NC Alcohol Law Enforcement, State Highway Patrol, and the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office.
Chief Hughes said DWI enforcement is a priority for Selma Police. “If you drink and drive in Selma be prepared to go to jail. We will not tolerate impaired drivers.”
Why not do these on a regular basis?
Costs, manpower, availability, effectiveness…
A lot of agencies do them, however there are only so many BATmobiles that can attend. Plus the logistics of it can be a nightmare. And a lot of agencies are shorthanded right now, getting enough officers together isn’t as easy as it is when they are fully staffed.
Good job to the Selma Police and all the other Law Enforcement agencies involved. You may have saved a life but for sure made our streets a little safer.