Police report final DUI checkpoint tally

Peoria police were part of a DUI checkpoint near Lake Pleasant Monday, which police spokesman Mike Tellef said was a success.

The checkpoint at Lake Pleasant was funded by a grant provided by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. There were eight agencies, including Peoria, that participated in the task force. The other agencies were Phoenix, Goodyear, Tolleson, Avondale, Glendale and Surprise police departments and State Liquor Control.

There were more than 35 officers working at the checkpoint.

Tellef said the DUI checkpoints are meant to prevent problems, not to make arrests. The goal was to inform the public that it was happening, Tellef said, and deter people from driving while intoxicated.

Several people who drove through said they knew about the checkpoint beforehand, "even one guy who was arrested," Tellef said.

 Total numbers from all participating agencies

                                      2008                       2007

Contacts:                       1,116                     1,104

DUI:                                   6                            8

Minor consumption:             0                          17