The Signal Hill Police Department will assign extra patrols around the city Thursday, March 17, in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
More Signal Hill officers will be keeping watch on the roads from 8 p.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. the next day for drivers suspected of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to a press release from the SHPD.
According to the SHPD, nearly half of all traffic deaths in the U.S. that occurred during the 2019 St. Patricks Day holiday period involved a drunk driver.
“Have a game plan before you celebrate St. Patricks Day,” SHPD Sgt. Don Moreau said. “Designate a sober driver or make other plans to get home safely.”
The Long Beach Police Department will also attempt to deter people from driving under the influence this week by conducting a random DUI checkpoint Friday, March 18, somewhere in the city’s West Patrol Division. The West Patrol division includes the Port of Long Beach, the area west of the 710 Freeway and a large portion of Central Long Beach.
The location of the DUI checkpoint will be chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The checkpoint will be enforced from 6 p.m. Friday until 2 a.m. the next day.