A Friday night DUI checkpoint resulted in more than a dozen citations for violations, including drugs. Officers from surrounding towns came to Berlin to assist in a holiday DUI crackdown.
Located on the Berlin Turnpike near Middletown Road, officers used their senses to locate suspected offenders.
“We listen to the tone of their voice, the way they enunciate words,” said Lt. James Gosselin of the Berlin Police Department. “We look at their eyes for signs of intoxication, whether they are blurry or bloodshot.”
Funded by the Department of Transportation, officers moved cars through the turnpike into their checkpoint. They also used the BATMobile, a large vehicle with a blood alcohol testing unit.
“We can actually detain the person here, test them here, process them here and we can release them to a family, friend or loved one to go home,” said Lt. Gosselin.
The New Britain Police Department brought in a vehicle of theirs that contained a license plate reader.
“It takes that information and compared it to the database that’s inside the computer, which we upload from the Motor Vehicle Department weekly. That gives us a list of expired plates, unregistered vehicles and suspended registration,” said Sgt. Robert Martin, of the New Britain Police Department.
About 1,500 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, resulting in marijuana confiscation, DUI testing and a number of motor vehicle violations.