(Editor’s note: The following is a copy of a letter addressed to Sarah Longwell, managing director, American Beverage Institute, in response to a letter posted on WestportNow on Dec. 4.)
Dear Ms. Longwell:
I would like to respond to your comments in WestportNow.com relative to the article on DUI checkpoints on Dec. 3, 2007. I take offense to your quick judgment about our enforcement efforts. Had you taken the time to be responsible and do a little investigating, you would have found that the DUI checkpoint is only a small part of our DUI enforcement efforts. The majority of our resources are in fact devoted to “roving patrols” as you put it.
I strongly disagree with your statement that the DUI checkpoints are ineffective. It is a common question from people throughout our area to be concerned about the DUI checkpoints, doesn’t that say they are concerned about them and they keep those checkpoints in mind when consuming alcohol?
You and your Web site make numerous references to the “Chronic Alcohol Abusers,” are they the only problem? I think not. A casual alcohol abuser who gets behind the wheel of a car can just as well kill a motorist or pedestrian as a chronic abuser. I believe that these checkpoints do make a difference. They educate and raise the awareness level of the motoring public.
Next time think before you make a statement, be part of the solution. There are thousands of law enforcement professionals on the streets everyday trying to make our communities safer for everyone, please support their efforts and the sacrifices they make.
Sincerely,
Alfred R. Fiore
Chief of Police
Westport
