Crackdowns take toll on drunken drivers

2009 arrest numbers show extra patrols have effect

By ALAN HAMARI

Posted: Jan. 19, 2010 |(0) Comments

Brookfield police nabbed more intoxicated drivers last year than in 2008, and police say an effort to reduce drunken driving - a fight helped by federal and state grants as well as cooperation from sober drivers - continues to be one of the department's goals.

In 2008, city of Brookfield police issued 263 citations to drivers who were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Last year, that number jumped to 276.

More arrests at happy hour

One of the main tasks of Brookfield's second- and third-shift officers is "patrolling and detecting drivers who are operating under the influence," Capt. Phil Horter said.

While the bulk of the drunken driving arrests happen on the third shift, the city has seen an uptick during dinnertime and the traditional "happy hour" time at bars.

Since officers usually field more calls during the second shift, that makes it tougher for them to aggressively patrol for drunken drivers, he said.

Still, the city has been able to participate in state and federally funded enforcement efforts to target drunken drivers. By paying their overtime, the grants allow officers to focus solely on traffic enforcement on a given shift, barring any emergency calls.

The extra enforcement is typically done a few times a year, including on days such as New Year's Eve and St. Patrick's Day, which many people celebrate by drinking alcohol.

Brookfield also partners with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office and other agencies for drunken driving crackdowns on and near Interstate 94. In those waves, three to four dozen officers make a concentrated effort to target drunken drivers on or exiting the interstate.

The city usually does two such deployments a month, Horter said. The crackdowns led to 31 arrests in two waves in November and December, and a New Year's Eve effort nabbed 56 drunken drivers.

Typically, the Waukesha County sheriff's deputies and Wisconsin state troopers patrol the freeway, but city officers will make arrests there from time to time.

Still, most of the city's drunken-driving arrests occur on major thoroughfares like Bluemound and Moorland roads, Capitol Drive and Greenfield Avenue.

Last city fatality was in 2008

According to the state Department of Transportation, alcohol-related crashes in Wisconsin killed 234 people and injured more than 4,300 others in 2008.

Police say the last alcohol-related fatal accident in the city happened Aug. 1, 2008, when Elm Grove resident William Gray died. His sport utility vehicle was struck on Capitol Drive near Mountain Drive by a van driven by Daniel Henningsen, a Pewaukee man who has been convicted for drunken driving six times.

According to the criminal complaint, Henningsen's blood-alcohol content was 0.194, more than twice the level considered evidence of intoxication in Wisconsin. Police said they found 7.6 grams of marijuana and a pipe in his vehicle.

Henningsen's trial is set to start in March.

Horter said Brookfield has lower drunken-driving fatality rates than more rural areas.

"The speeds of vehicles in Brookfield are typically less than rural roads or county highways," he said.

Motorists should call police

Part of drunken-driving enforcement depends on the observations of other drivers, and their willingness to use their cell phone to immediately report a driver they suspect is intoxicated.

"Without them, we would not be as successful," Horter said.

Police Chief Dan Tushaus said patrol officers need to know about those instances while they're happening.

"They should call us when it's happening, not after they get home," he said.

'More steps need to be taken'

Despite increased enforcement, drunken driving remains a significant problem, they said.

The city sees a number of repeat offenders, including drivers with more than three prior arrests for drunken driving. A recently passed state law made fourth-offense drunken driving a felony, and, among other measures, requires ignition interlocks for all repeat drunken drivers.

Another disturbing trend is people driving under the influence of other drugs, not just alcohol, Horter said.

"More steps need to be taken in order to reduce the dangers to the general motoring public," he said.