The Chula Vista Police Department conducted a Court Sting on 11-16-10 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the parking lot of the court house located at 500 Third Ave in the city of Chula Vista.

In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes the Court Sting focused drivers who currently have a suspended drivers license due to a DUI related arrest.

These court stings are conducted to identify offenders who are participating in court program and are violating the terms of their program and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving and driving without a valid drivers license.

Officers issued 12 citations for drivers driving on a suspended license and 5 for unlicensed drivers. A total of 17 vehicles were impounded for the suspended license and unlicensed driver violations. One suspended license driver was also cited for having an open alcoholic beverage container in his vehicle. In addition, 21 citations were issued for various other vehicle code violations.

This operation was considered to be very successful.

All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This court sting is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as insuring drivers have a valid driver's license.

The major components of these stings are to increase awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and the necessity to drive with a valid license.

A court sting is a proven effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Chula Vista Police Department believes motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving.

Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver. Instructions on reporting drunk drivers were passed out at the court sting.

Funding for this operation was provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

“DRUNK DRIVING. OVER THE LIMIT. UNDER ARREST.”

Police Public Information Office