Pittsfield Township police try new approach to curb New Year's Eve drinking and driving
Pittsfield Township police are trying a new approach tonight to curb drunken driving — visits to bars and other establishments and foot patrols in high-traffic areas.
Officers also will be stepping up patrols, along with other agencies in the county participating in New Year's Eve grant-funded crackdowns.
Police say the visits to businesses are aimed at keeping safety at the front of people’s minds.
“It’s a concerted effort on behalf of the department to provide the community with some extra police presence, awareness and safety services,” Public Safety Director Matt Harshberger said.
Harshberger said the initiative isn't in response to any particular incident or concerns in previous years. It’s also not meant to target any particular establishment on what many hope is a busy night.
Deputy Chief Gordy Schick said officers will focus on the Washtenaw Avenue and Carpenter Road corridors, as those tend to generate the most activity. He said local business owners were notified beforehand, and the response thus far has been positive.
Messages left by AnnArbor.com with several establishments in the township with New Year’s Eve events were not returned this week.
The goal, Schick said, is for officers to interact more with the businesses and proactively evaluate situations before they become potential problems. Though they intend to let people have a good time, officers will strictly enforce state laws and local ordinances pertaining to alcohol-related offenses, including underage drinking and liquor license violations.
![PTPD-sign[1].jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2010/12/PTPD-sign[1]-thumb-250x187-65902.jpg)
Pittsfield Township police are focusing on pro-active policing.
They'll be coordinating patrols with the additional officers on shift, as well as the multi-jurisdictional drunken-driving enforcement zones that began Thursday night.
The enhanced township enforcement isn't grant funded and will be part of the department’s annual personnel budget.
The first-time initiative is an extension of the community-oriented policing philosophy Harshberger implemented after taking over the department in May 2009.
He said he strongly believes just having a police presence in at many of the parties planned at local establishments will deter potential crimes and steer people toward making the right choices.
“We want everyone to have a festive, but safe holiday season, and we wish to stress the importance of celebrating responsibly because everyone has a part in community safety,” Harshberger said.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
loves_fall
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 9:51 p.m.
I used to waitress and never had any problem with police visits. There wasn't anything particularly militaristic about them, and it never felt like they were out to get anyone. They'd come in, wander through, be social with people, and wander out. No stress, no drama, just a little face time with the community they serve. I don't think it's bad for people to see that they're active in the community and keeping an eye on things. Except in cases of bar fights where they were called and their presence was very welcome, I've never seen them act particularly official, demand to see ID, or bully anyone out at the bar having a good time. It's just about visibility, and if it encourages someone to take a safer way home, great. I think it's good for police to be visible and approachable in communities, and having them patrol through the downtown/bar scene is a good way to accomplish that.
actionjackson
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 5:01 p.m.
Why is it that so many people think that it is necessary to go out and get wasted on New Years Eve? Amateur night is what we called it. Cab drivers and designated drivers are a must for those who feel that they have to end the year over.08 in order to have a good time.
Top Cat
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 4:49 p.m.
"nattering nabobs of negativism" ERM's Ghost quoting Spiro Agnew? I can't imagine what 2011 can now hold.
Basic Bob
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 2:37 p.m.
A cop walking into a bar should be no big deal. It makes them part of the community instead of something scary. It's a whole lot nicer than sitting across the street and following drunks down the road until they weave across the center line. To paraphrase Kristin Judge, if one DUI arrest is prevented, it is worth the effort.
julieswhimsies
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 2:32 p.m.
Sounds like a reasonable plan to me.
fremdfirma
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 1:30 p.m.
Being one of those that doesn't care for the idea of busting people after they're on the road and dangerous, and suspect of potential financial motives to that, I do believe this is a positive step, since if you prevent the crime to begin with, no one is endangered, no one needs be charged. As for privacy, I don't see how one could have a reasonable expectation of privacy in a bar parking lot, and given how enticing the concept of rolling drunks can be for the criminal element, surely one can see the benefit of having an officer nearby to discourage it - there's really very little disadvantage to this, and it's certainly a more effective and less invasive use of police resources than pulling people over and hassling them, isn't it? The only concern I would have is if the officers got the notion to start showering citations for drunk/disorderly/public intox, instead of at least trying to be civil and courteous first, the option is there if necessary, but should not be the first response, no. Credit where it's due, at least Pittsfield is going to try, and I hope it works out well for them.
ChelseaBob
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 1:10 p.m.
Nice idea- Cops in the bar can see minors and very drunk people being served, which is against the law, and where the problem starts. The vast majority of partiers will welcome the police presence.
joe golder
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 12:36 p.m.
Alcohol is as dangerous as any drug. Police will be called for a variety of reasons due to alcohol tonight. How can a bar make money serving one drink an hour to a patron. How can servers really keep tabs on how many drinks someone has. Will they be driving, get violent and beat up there significant other, or do harm to themselves. Partying with alcohol has been part of societies for 1000's of years. It would be nice if everyone would be personally responsible, but the facts show this isn't always the case. Watching what drunk driving has done to my friends and the financial toll it has had on their lives has kept me from enjoying to much booze when I go out. Unfortunately the harsh punishment has not been enough for some. HAPPY NEW YEAR, BE SAFE,CHEERS
Sugar451
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
A few years ago, I used to spend most Satuday nights at Pub 13, where seeing a couple police officers walk through was a regular occurence. Frankly, I found it reassuring, knowing they were there. Hooray for increased police presence!
fishjamaica
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 12:24 p.m.
If America is really serious about eliminating drunk driving we should require breathalyzers installed on all cars. They can't be more expensive than the higher insurance premiums that we all pay due to huge claims and healthcare costs related to drunk driving crashes.I would rather have the police patrolling my neighborhood so I don't get burglarized while I am out having fun. It would keep social drinkers from inadvertent drunk driving (its not too hard to get to.08bac without realizing it). If someone somehow circumvents the machine then they are deliberately trying to drive drunk, then bringing the hammer down on them is most appropriate. I can't see it happening though, as there would go a major revenue source for the courts. Not to mention half our legislators wouldn't have a way to get home at night. No patrol plan is going to keep unliscenced, 5 time repeat drunk driver from killing a fifth of Popov and getting into his unregistered, uninsured vehicle, blind drunk, and heading the wrong way down I-94. If that vehicle won't function with his drunk *ss behind the wheel then no one will die. Happy New Year!
yourdad
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 12:16 p.m.
@Edward... for once, I agree wholeheartedly with your observations. Sadly the police in our society are always viewed in a negative light. I just hope that we can all remember that those who are serving to protect our safety want to go home safely at the end of there shift as well. Driving is a privilege (drunk or sober), treat your DD's with great courtesy, they may be the only thing that lets you wake up in the morning. Be safe and spend locally!!!
Mike
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 12:05 p.m.
I'm all for cracking down on drunk driving and have a son with two DUI's one at age 17 and one at age 19. I'm glad they caught him. It has ruined him finacially and will delay him having a life for the next five years. He can't go to school because we work and can't drive him there. Many families are impacted by drunk drivers; none of it is good no matter which side you are on. Holding a job when you can't drive is almost impossible, he is lucky we can help him out there. Dumb kids making dumb decisions. The worst part is that if he ever gets pulled over again in his entire life for drunk driving he will be facing a felony. Even if he is 60 years old, the next time he gets pulled over for drunk driving he will face going to prison for five years; that is unless he moves out of Michigan which is what a lot of people have done. The penalties for going out and beating someone to a pulp are less as is selling marijuana to high schoolers or buying them liquor so they can go out and drink and drive. So if you're going to drink and drive think about that. The penalties are very Draconian and will affect you for the rest of your life.
CountyKate
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.
This is typical of the kind of forward thinking Matt Harshberger brings to his job. Pittsfield Township is lucky to have him. Even the drinkers would like to get home in one piece. As @Kristin Judge said, if even one accident is prevented by this, it will be all worthwhile.
Kristin Judge
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 10:38 a.m.
Thank you Director Harshberger and Deputy Chief Schick for your leadership on community policing. This is prevention not an invasion of privacy. If just one accident is prevented, it will be well worth the effort.
townie54
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 10:33 a.m.
I'm staying home.Cant get arrested or maim anyone driving my couch while drunk
nickcarraweigh
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 10:27 a.m.
This is such a refreshingly positive step, I personally find it hard to accept that it was made by a police agency. Well-deserved kudos to the Pittsfield Twp. police. Meanwhile, those interested in privacy in a public drinking establishment on New Year's Eve (of all times and places) might want to investigate AA or, alternatively, noise abatement ordinances for the 4th of July. Those know-nothings who think this a sign of totalitarianism have clearly never spent any time in a country ruled by a totalitarian regime. Likewise, those who see no reason to fear misapplied police powers have not seen those powers abused; yet. Ignorance is often mistaken for bliss. I'll raise a glass myself to the Pittsfield Twp. police tonight, then call a cab.
Andrew
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 10:22 a.m.
What surprises me is that, in the current economy with so many budget cuts and focus on independent revenue generation, the police are taking a proactive approach that seems to cost them more money and actual reduce their income. This is in sharp contrast to speed traps where the speed limit changed from 70 to 50, trading speeding tickets for non-moving, more expensive, violations, etc. For me personally this makes me feel better about the police. I feel a lot better about my tax money going towards them when I see them do positive things for the community. I really do think that just seeing an officer enter a bar, the number of people that will be driving home drunk is drastically cut.
cinnabar7071
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 10:17 a.m.
Want to curb drunk driving park cop car outside the bar and pull people over as they pull out.
mg0blue
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
Wow, guess you can't please everybody. I've read numerous comments on A2.com after a drunk driving fatality crash where posters are ranting and raving about police not stopping the drunk driver before it happened. Now the police are doing something proactive about it, and people are relating it to being in a communist society.
jcj
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 9:30 a.m.
"Sounds like Moscow circa 1954 has come to Washtenaw County.' Yea better to just wait and police the accident after the fact!
InsideTheHall
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 9:24 a.m.
Sounds like Moscow circa 1954 has come to Washtenaw County.
bob
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 8:35 a.m.
@ John: the bar owners/employees are suppose to be enforcing liquor regulations anyway. They are not suppose to let minors drink, serve intoxicated people, etc. If the bar is run as a legitimate, law abiding business they will have no problem with the police coming in. Like most of us tell our children...the police are our friends. Only criminals usually fear the police.
jcj
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 8:23 a.m.
@John "There goes more privacy. If I owned a bar on those corridors, I would be closed tonight" And you would be out of business next week. Close your doors on the biggest drinking night of the year? Not many looking for privacy in a public restaurant.
wait.think
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 8:07 a.m.
@John: If people want privacy when they drink, they should stay home - which will make the roads safer, too, in case they over-indulge. If police visits to the bars help save one life tonight, then I'm all for it! Happy New Year!
John
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 7:12 a.m.
There goes more privacy. If I owned a bar on those corridors, I would be closed tonight.