Waterbuffalo
01-04-2008, 08:37 PM
Here is a wonderful story I saw in the Oregonian that had me in stitches. Basically it comes down to RCMP in British Columbia in plain clothes talking to drivers in the middle of the night at a local Fast food place. Innovative and never heard of this one. But here is the story..
Find the whole story here: http://blog.oregonlive.com/nwheadlines/2008/01/bc_cops_taking_drivethrough_bu.html
"Please drive to the second window where you'll be arrested for DDUII -- drive-through drunk driving under the influence of intoxicants and a jones for french fries. Oops. It's Canada. Some drunks might order pommes frites. Mothers Against Drunk Driving is calling this culinary cop stakeout "brilliant." The cops are calling it Operation WULF. Would U Like Fries. Enough stupid fast food references. Here is the full story in the Vancouver Province.
The idea was born after traffic officers heard stories about people heading from clubs and house parties to drive-through windows in no condition to be at the wheel, (RCMP Sgt. Roger) Morrow said.
"The traffic guys, to their credit, got to chatting and have taken up the challenge," he said.
The officers, who wear plainclothes but stop short of donning restaurant uniforms, sit inside near the windows "out of the way of the people busy doing their business, making burgers and so on."
If the fast-food workers tip the officers to drivers with slurred speech or the aroma of stale alcohol on their breath as they drive by and chat - "in the cool, clear, early-morning hours, it wafts around" - drivers are stopped as they pull away and checked by a second officer who gets the heads-up via radio.
Officers simply confirm the workers' observations, Morrow said, and don't involve them in court proceedings.
"The merchants have bought in to the program and find it very entertaining," said Cpl. Lorne Lecker of the traffic section. "They love it."
John Banovich, spokesman for Mothers Against Drunk Driving's Greater Vancouver chapter, said the idea is "brilliant."
"We're quite familiar with the project," Banovich said. "We know one officer was responsible for 10 suspensions and two impaired-driving charges over two weekends. It definitely works."
Banovich said that officer was stationed in a Surrey McDonald's.
Find the whole story here: http://blog.oregonlive.com/nwheadlines/2008/01/bc_cops_taking_drivethrough_bu.html
"Please drive to the second window where you'll be arrested for DDUII -- drive-through drunk driving under the influence of intoxicants and a jones for french fries. Oops. It's Canada. Some drunks might order pommes frites. Mothers Against Drunk Driving is calling this culinary cop stakeout "brilliant." The cops are calling it Operation WULF. Would U Like Fries. Enough stupid fast food references. Here is the full story in the Vancouver Province.
The idea was born after traffic officers heard stories about people heading from clubs and house parties to drive-through windows in no condition to be at the wheel, (RCMP Sgt. Roger) Morrow said.
"The traffic guys, to their credit, got to chatting and have taken up the challenge," he said.
The officers, who wear plainclothes but stop short of donning restaurant uniforms, sit inside near the windows "out of the way of the people busy doing their business, making burgers and so on."
If the fast-food workers tip the officers to drivers with slurred speech or the aroma of stale alcohol on their breath as they drive by and chat - "in the cool, clear, early-morning hours, it wafts around" - drivers are stopped as they pull away and checked by a second officer who gets the heads-up via radio.
Officers simply confirm the workers' observations, Morrow said, and don't involve them in court proceedings.
"The merchants have bought in to the program and find it very entertaining," said Cpl. Lorne Lecker of the traffic section. "They love it."
John Banovich, spokesman for Mothers Against Drunk Driving's Greater Vancouver chapter, said the idea is "brilliant."
"We're quite familiar with the project," Banovich said. "We know one officer was responsible for 10 suspensions and two impaired-driving charges over two weekends. It definitely works."
Banovich said that officer was stationed in a Surrey McDonald's.