Eleven People Arrested at Checkpoints Saturday Night

Petaluma police cited 11 people during Saturday night's operation to catch intoxicated and unlicensed drivers, including a woman who was arrested for driving under the influence who had come to the checkpoint to pick up a friend with no license. 

The checkpoints were located at Sonoma Mountain Parkway at Castle Drive and Petaluma Boulevard North near Gossage Avenue Saturday between 6pm and 2am. 

Five drivers were nabbed on charges of a DUI, four for driving without a license, one for driving on a suspended license and another for a no bail warrant.

A total of 10 vehicles were towed, including five that were impounded for 30 days from the suspended/unlicensed drivers, a practice that has been criticized by immigrant rights groups as too harsh. Police say they are well within California vehicle code in doing so.

The checkpoint is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.