Salt Lake Police Set Up Check Point Tonight

Coco Warner Reporting | August 4, 2006

It's a tool Salt Lake City police haven't used for nearly a decade, but last month it proved so effective, they're doing it again! We're talking about a court-approved checkpoint. Police planned to pullover vehicles driving along 3rd West between 1050 and 13th South.

This court-approved administrative checkpoint went into effect at 10 p.m. Officers check for a valid driver's license, registration and proof of insurance, but they also keep their eyes open for any other possible violations.

In fact, when police ran a similar checkpoint over the 4th of July weekend, they arrested seven drunk drivers, issued 48 citations, arrested someone for heroin possession, someone for an outstanding warrant and someone for lewdness.

Det. Joe Cyr, Salt Lake City Police Dept.: "If it turns out to be the same kind of result, where we're getting some dangerous drivers off the road, we may be seeing more of these administrative checkpoints at miscellaneous locations throughout the city."

These checkpoints don't come without controversy. Several viewers on our website voiced concern about the legality of such an action and whether constitutional rights are being violated. Iin order to set up a checkpoint, Salt Lake City police had to get approval from a judge, advertise in advance, and display a sign 500 feet away from the location.

Police have been advertising this checkpoint through newspapers since Wednesday. This checkpoint will be in the same place at the same time tomorrow night.

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