As 4th Of July Weekend Gets Underway, Police Prep For DUI Patrol
By Rachel Cromidas in News on Jul 2, 2015 8:10PM
That the July 4th weekend is also one of the biggest holiday weekends for crime, from illegal fireworks to drunk driving to firing a gun at the lit-up summer sky, is not lost on the Chicago Police Department.
In preparation for the frenzy of holiday weekend activity, authorities are planning several special patrols to catch people driving under the influence and other traffic violations in high-tourist neighborhoods like the Loop, River North and Lincoln Park.
The first "DUI Strike Force Patrol," as the department calls its team of police officers who patrol their districts for impaired drivers, will hit the Central police district, which encompasses parts of the Loop, South Loop and East Side from 7 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday. The second patrol will cover the 18th District, which includes parts of River North, Old Town and Lincoln Park, from 7 p.m. Saturday July 4 to 3 a.m. Sunday.
Officers may send a Breath Alcohol Testing Mobile Unit to test people suspected of DUIs, charge them with a felony and arrange for them to be sent to police lockup or released with a bond, authorities said in a press release Thursday.