DUI money train

Dec 29, 2009 1 min read

To the editor:

It is about time to hand out the door prizes. Someone is actually suing the city, the CCPD, and the officers involved for the extortion that is the “DUI checkpoint.”

For those of you unaware, here’s how it works; you’re legally driving on a public road, you’re stopped at a checkpoint, without probable cause, asked to take a breath/sobriety test. If you refuse you’re arrested. If you pass the breath test you can still be arrested based on the officer’s judgement of your ability to perform circus tricks and/or flashlight training. You may be required to enter a “porta-john” and provide a urine sample. Then the staff “molecular chemist” does a pseudo-scientific dog and pony show, apparently, to convince each other that you have “chemicals” in your bloodstream.

You’re arrested and the money train leaves the station. If you’re lucky 6 months and many dollars later you’re free to go about your business.

Here is my vote, when the city loses the current suits the three million bucks are paid directly from the CCPD payroll budget. Then and only then will the citizens be treated with some respect and the presumption of innocence.

Tom Gamso

Cape Coral