Police Will Be Patrolling River North For DUIs This Weekend

By Gwendolyn Purdom in News on Jul 15, 2016 3:04PM

River North has built its reputation on its preponderance of super hip bars and night clubs where the booze is as plentiful as the bros. So it's understandable that it's also the neighborhood Chicago Police have designated for their upcoming DUI Strike Force Patrol operation this weekend. Starting Saturday at 7 p.m., CPD officers will be out in the area in droves "monitor[ing] vehicular traffic for signs of impaired driving," according to a press release.

Patrols will be watching for speeding, seat belt violations and any other alcohol-related problems. The department's Breath Alcohol Testing Mobile Unit will also be on hand to help expedite the process once an officer suspects somebody's been over served. The Strike Force will stick around until 3 a.m. Sunday.

Though a 2015 Tribune analysis showed that in the previous five years Chicago police DUI checkpoints have targeted predominately black and Latino neighborhoods, River North has proved to be fertile ground for violations in the past. Last year, five people driving under the influence were stopped by similar patrols. Last weekend, a DUI Strike Force stationed in Albany Park busted three impaired drivers, 11 seat belt violations and 26 general traffic violations.