TIM PRATT
While the number of drunk driving arrests decreased last year across Mississippi, Columbus and Starkville proved to be the exceptions.
The Starkville Police Department arrested 430 people for driving under the influence in 2009, according to statistics released by SPD Chief David Lindley. More people were arrested for driving under the influence in Starkville in 2009 than in any other year in the history of the Starkville Police Department, according to the report. It marked the third straight year the department arrested more than 400 people for DUI, Lindley said, though he had no exact figures for 2007 or 2008.
“I think Starkville has become a more popular destination for socializing and that’s certainly one thing that’s had an effect,” Lindley said of the increase.
The Starkville Police Department also hired a fourth full-time DUI enforcement officer to patrol city streets, which could account for the increase in DUI arrests, Lindley acknowledged. But the fourth full-time DUI officer only was hired because of the high number of alcohol-related offenses in the first place, he said.
“The increase in alcohol-related offenses has sparked the need for more DUI officers,” Lindley said. “It’s more like one has an effect on the other. They both affect each other. We got another DUI enforcement officer because of the high number of alcohol-related offenses and now the number of DUIs is increasing because we have another DUI officer out there.”
The Columbus Police Department arrested 165 people for DUI in 2009, Public Information Officer Terrie Songer said. By comparison, Columbus police only arrested 116 people for DUI in 2008.
So far this year, the CPD has arrested 36 people for driving under the influence.
Songer attributed the increase in DUI arrests last year to the hard work of the Columbus Police Department.
Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.
Gosh, I had no idea there would be an increase in DUIs in Starkville, especially after they started serving’m up on Sundays.
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Amazed, I am amazed that you did not realize that those statistics were calculated prior to the change in the times and days that alcohol were served here in the great city of Starkville. Interestingly enough, it may be that there is an increase in the recorded DUI arrests in 2009 because the Starkville Police Department has received a considerable grant to do just this: put more officers on the roads to identify those who are demonstrating tendencies of a person who is under the influence. With this grant, our city was able to purchase equipment, an additional vehicle, and 2 additional officers working for this detail. This is truly amazing.
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Thinking does hurt. Its my understanding those stats were calculated for the entire 2009 calendar year, which did include the 1 quarter or so where Sunday sales was in effect. Not saying this was directly linked to the increase, but it could account for a few of the increased dui’s.
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Not so much. If you look at the statistics the increase was directly related to the increase in patrol and the special detail enforcement. The additional arrests were attributed to those officers who were working those details. The percentages of arrests by normal arresting patrol officers was the same. Interesting, though. I really have no bones with whether alcohol is sold or not sold on Sunday or the extended hours of sale. I could live either way with the legislation.
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Who cares if it is related to the Sunday sales legislation or not?! It’s a great thing for the city- It’s generating income and keeping SOBER drivers safe. There are too many idiots leaving the bars behind the wheel.. And I’m proud of the city for stepping it up and sending a message with the DUI enforcement.
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Wasn’t there an increase in enrollment as well to consider?
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Actually, there was an increase. I agree entirely that we should be in support of those who are keeping us safe. Can they be everywhere, no, but they are working to improve the safety of Starkville, and I am thankful for them.
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