DUI Checkpoint Nabs 8 Drunk Drivers

Eight people were arrested on charges of driving under the influence at two checkpoints in Petaluma Friday evening.

The Petaluma Police Department periodically puts up DUI checkpoints as a way to get intoxicated drivers and those with suspended licenses off the road. The first checkpoint was located on North McDowell Blvd at Rand Street and the second at Petaluma Boulevard North and Oak Street.

The arrested include:

Ronald Rogers, 44, from Petaluma 
Lori Cooper, 58, from Petaluma 
Gayle McCullough, 70, from Petaluma 
Martin Bolek, 46, from Petaluma 
Jeremy Clark, 29, from Rohnert Park 
James Allison, 64, from Petaluma 
Miguel Hernandez, 37, from Petaluma 
Carlos Vides, 45, from Rohnert Park 
Koji Yoshida, 44, from Petaluma 

The police also cited three drivers for not having a license, five for driving on a suspended license and two for drug possession. The checkpoints are funded by  a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to help combat the prevalence of drunk driving. 

However, the checkpoints have been criticized by some residents who say they unfairly target undocumented immigrants who cannot obtain a driver's license and after they are entered into the criminal justice system.

What do you think of the DUI checkpoints? Are they an effective tool for getting drunk drivers off the road? Or are they an invasion of privacy? Tell us in the comments below.