Sobriety Checkpoint Nets Many Offenders

Sgt. John Cole of the Newtown Police wrote that on September 7, from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m., Sept 8, Newtown Police held a sobriety check point on Wasserman Way near exit ramp 11 in Newtown. 

The check point was manned by eight officers and one supervisor from the Newtown Police Department as well as five troopers and one supervisor from the Connecticut State Police.  Both lanes of traffic were stopped.  Each driver that passed through the checkpoint was briefly interviewed to determine if they had taken any drugs or alcohol prior to driving. 

Five motorists were charged with DUI.  Newtown officers issued 34  infractions for various motor vehicle offenses including:

• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Using a cell phone while driving
• Unregistered motor vehicle
• Possession of less than one-half ounce of marijuana.

A stolen car was also recovered.

The checkpoint was funded by a 2012 DOT Grant which reimburses Newtown 75 percent of overtime costs.