Spokane7
50°
June 25, 2010 in City
Deputies get quota for Hoopfest DUI patrols
Spokane County sheriff’s deputies have been asked to contact at least three motorists per hour this weekend as part of extra impaired driving patrols.
The emphasis is part of a Hoopfest patrol effort that begins today and includes aircraft.
A Washington State Patrol Cessna plane will be above the city today, Saturday and Sunday to catch impaired reckless drivers.
When the plane isn’t up, the sheriff’s helicopter will be.
“Air One will be used for vehicle pursuits and searches, should the need arise, and will be available for call-out throughout the Hoopfest event,” according to a news release.
The sheriff’s office has scheduled extra patrols for impaired drivers and boaters deputies have been asked “to make at least three motorist contacts per hour and to have a zero tolerance for impaired drivers.”
The marine unit will have one enforcement team on the water today and two teams out Saturday and Sunday.
Sgt. Dave Reagan said the sheriff’s helicopter typically is out on the weekend but this likely is the first Hoopfest in which it has worked with the WSP plane.
Hoopfest, the largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament in the country, begins Saturday.
Human trafficking suspects released 
spokanecougar on June 25 at 6:03 p.m.
I am not for drunk driving, but quota’s should be illegal. All they do is harass everyone until they find a drunk. Welcome to Spokane Hoopfest and Ironman visitors prepared to be harassed by Spokane’s finest. Stupid corrupt cops should be thrown in jail themselves.
bnrjams on June 25 at 6:08 p.m.
Spokanecougar- It’s Just henious they would be expected to contact three people an hour while trying to get drunk drivers off the streets
Albert on June 25 at 6:28 p.m.
I sincerely appreciate this effort to keep the streets safe during this very crowded period in the city. I for one approve of this increased effort. Great job and thanks for the increased service during this event.
PlanB on June 25 at 6:55 p.m.
As long as the quota includes contact with other law enforcement officers then I’m all for it. That will make getting their DUI quota easy.
lewis8457 on June 25 at 9:30 p.m.
3 people an hour that is a lot of drunk drivers. Since there won’t be that many drunk drivers does that mean they will be pulling over people that are not doing anything wrong. Isn’t that called harassment? If they are really worried about drunk drivers will the deputies and police be taking Breathalyzer test too? Of course not just the common folk.
Good way to welcome out of towners, welcome to Spokane the friendliest place, oh by the way here is a 100-dollar ticket for doing nothing wrong, have a nice day!
They are so worried about our safety too bad it doesn’t include mini marts.
reservedparking on June 25 at 9:47 p.m.
“Spokane County sheriff’s deputies have been asked to contact at least three motorists per hour this weekend…”
Should read:
“Spokane County sheriff’s deputies have been asked to increase their revenue enhancement tactics on the backs of Hoopfest participants and unsuspecting out-of-town visitors…”
realdeal599 on June 25 at 10:47 p.m.
First…no one said anything about writing tickets…those are contacts. Second…you have to be doing something wrong in order to get stopped…thus, that means that you are breaking the law which means you are not getting harassed…they are LAW ENFORCEMENT officers. Third….more contacts with more people increases the chance that they will find drunk drivers and thus save people from injuries and save lives…and lastly…as a citizen of this area, to those who break the law in a minor way and get stopped and are not drinking and driving…thank you for giving up 5 minutes of your time because the next person stopped for the same thing could be drunk. I appreciate all police who are out there busting there bottoms to get drunk drivers off the roads. They can stop me anytime and “harass” me for a few minutes if it means that they will keep our roads safer.
misjustice on June 26 at 9:13 a.m.
And what if officers don’t meet their quota? What if they don’t have ‘probable cause’ to stop 3 people per hour? Will officers simply pull people over, even if they have not done anything ‘wrong’, and then look for justification for the stop?
I always suspected that there were police quotas, now there is proof.
I am not opposed to increased police patrols/presence but think that quotas could encourage officers to harass people, in order to meet the quota.