Tell your friends... tell everyone. In additional to sobriety checkpoints, there will be nighttime seat belt enforcement operations throughout the state over the weekend. High risk drivers, high risk behaviors and more unrestrained fatalities occur during nighttime hours.

If you drink and drive in St. Mary’s County beware, Maryland State Police is joining with law enforcement throughout the state for the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign and will be conducting sobriety checkpoints over the Memorial Day weekend.

The strong statewide impaired driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement, in an effort to both identify and arrest impaired driving, deter impaired driving, and raise awareness of continued efforts to combat impaired driving.

Maryland State Police said its Troopers will be aggressively looking for impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired.

It is illegal in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams per deciliter. Despite these laws, in 2010 more than 10,000 people died in crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was impaired.

“On average there is one alcohol impaired driving-related fatality every 51 minutes across America. But this tragic loss of life can be reduced if we get impaired drivers off our roadways,” said Lt. Michael Thompson, Maryland State Police – Leonardtown Barrack. “Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign reduces alcohol-impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent.”

According to Maryland State Police violators face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.

“We encourage the public to work with law enforcement. Report suspected impaired drivers by dialing #77 from cell phones. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’” said Lt. Michael Thompson.

For more information, visit the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign Headquarters at Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over (http://www.nhtsa.gov/drivesober).



Sobriety Checkpoints Memorial Day Weekend | Southern Maryland News Net (http://smnewsnet.com/archives/15172)

Well, I hope everyone has plans for safe, sober rides tonight. And everyone buckles up.

Might want to watch your speed. You never know.

Well, I hope everyone has plans for safe, sober rides tonight. And everyone buckles up.

Might want to watch your speed. You never know.

And lets not forget to use our blinkers.

Saw checkpoints today. Wonder if there were any drunks, or others caught.

Saw checkpoints today. Wonder if there were any drunks, or others caught.

State Troopers were out on Mervell Dean Road, again, today.

Saw checkpoints today. Wonder if there were any drunks, or others caught.

Over Four Hundred Vehicles Pass Through St. Mary’s County Sobriety Checkpoint | Southern Maryland News Net (http://smnewsnet.com/archives/15347)

Are any checkpoints ever done at the beginning of a month?

Sure, when a major holiday known for beer-laden BBQs occurs at the beginning of the month. Sorry, Mabus, but this isnt about money. With 13 officers, they would need to issue a silly amount of tickets to make that much money back.


This bothers me though......you want to check for drunks, go right ahead, but plate readers dont catch drunks.

During the Checkpoint, 3 motorists were pulled to the side for additional field sobriety testing, however, there were no arrests. Also utilized during the operation were 2 License Plate Reader cars, which resulted in several “hits,” but no arrests.

That right there is some bulls#$%. Just adding to the database of normal citizens movements.

The tag readers are utilized as an additional means to look for drivers/vehicles which should be taken off the roadway. They have and will continued to be deployed as an additional tool to find wanted persons, stolen vehicles, unregistered, and uninsured vehicles. At 2 different checkpoint they had hits on a stolen vehicle and wanted persons. Also had a hit on a wanted vehicle for a robbery at knifepoint, and assault...but it was unnecessary as the persons and vehicle travelled right into the breakdown of the checkpoint and were stopped by officers working along the side of the road. It does not add to a database or track the "movements of citizens".

I anticipate more checkpoints over long weekends, holiday weeks, and continuation of Click It or Ticket. There were operations for seat belt checkpoints over the past week, and nighttime operations over the weekend throughout the state and the nation. Southern Maryland agencies participated.

Sorry, J, your wrong about that..........

Feeds a database.......

Governor O'Malley: License Plate Recognition Announcement (http://www.governor.maryland.gov/speeches/100804.asp)

"To maximize the effectiveness of the network for saving lives and protecting our public safety, we are creating a single, easy-to-use database which will allow law enforcement throughout our State to retrieve data from the network."

Keeps normal citizen location data, and stores if for a long time.

http://www.gazette.net/article/20120215/NEWS/702159557/1122/Montgomery-County-police-cameras-take-pictures-of-thousands-of-cars-daily&template=gazette

http://www.gazette.net/article/20120215/NEWS/702159557/1122/Montgomery-County-police-cameras-take-pictures-of-thousands-of-cars-daily&template=gazette


Montgomery County wants to keep it for a year, open access to any LEO, after a year, need the Chiefs permission

Police use cameras to scan tags for scofflaws [video] - The Frederick News-Post Online (http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyid=111414)

Frederick data retained for 90 days.

According to one article here, the MSP does a purge every 24 hours, which is good. And don't get me wrong, J, I do think these things are a tool for good, properly used. But the gathering of movement and location data on citizens not under suspicion strikes me wrong.

As far as I know, the only scanners deployed here in St Marys are on MSP, and so, it's not a factor here.

405 cars, 2 hours, 2 plate readers, 14 cops.......zero arrests.

It seemed more like all the cops were on vacation. I only saw a few cops the whole holiday weekend.

It seemed more like all the cops were on vacation. I only saw a few cops the whole holiday weekend.

They were in my area. I saw three in front of my house yesterday.

It seemed more like all the cops were on vacation. I only saw a few cops the whole holiday weekend.

:jet:.... just in the right place all the time...

for me.. the were at every corner!!! and two sites where they were running radar.. Sat....

Monday... they were everywhere.... saw the same trooper three times... with in a few hours.... was gonna ask if he was following me :killingme

and on Sat.... a state trooper told me they spent most of the day responding to walmart for thefts!! as we spoke the 7th one came thru!!!

They were in my area. I saw three in front of my house yesterday.

They were after the Toot's patrons.

They were in my area. I saw three in front of my house yesterday.

did you offer them a hotdog..or burger!! :killingme

They were after the Toot's, Dew Drop & Moose Lodge patrons.

:fixed:

And speeders. They run radar all the time.

405 cars, 2 hours, 2 plate readers, 14 cops.......zero arrests.

This is a good thing. It means that people are playing by the rules. When law enforcement becomes pressured to "make arrests" they become militant and start eyeballing regular old law abiding people for frivelous stuff.

This is a good thing. It means that people are playing by the rules. When law enforcement becomes pressured to "make arrests" they become militant and start eyeballing regular old law abiding people for frivelous stuff.

I can't help but think the 14 cops could have covered more ground being on patrol.

Sorry, J, your wrong about that..........

Feeds a database.......

Governor O'Malley: License Plate Recognition Announcement (http://www.governor.maryland.gov/speeches/100804.asp)



Keeps normal citizen location data, and stores if for a long time.

http://www.gazette.net/article/20120215/NEWS/702159557/1122/Montgomery-County-police-cameras-take-pictures-of-thousands-of-cars-daily&template=gazette

http://www.gazette.net/article/20120215/NEWS/702159557/1122/Montgomery-County-police-cameras-take-pictures-of-thousands-of-cars-daily&template=gazette


Montgomery County wants to keep it for a year, open access to any LEO, after a year, need the Chiefs permission

Police use cameras to scan tags for scofflaws [video] - The Frederick News-Post Online (http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyid=111414)

Frederick data retained for 90 days.

According to one article here, the MSP does a purge every 24 hours, which is good. And don't get me wrong, J, I do think these things are a tool for good, properly used. But the gathering of movement and location data on citizens not under suspicion strikes me wrong.

As far as I know, the only scanners deployed here in St Marys are on MSP, and so, it's not a factor here.

As far as you know

That right there is some bulls#$%. Just adding to the database of normal citizens movements.





yeah they are not using to track MOVEMENTS Yet ......... but the day is coming


everyone will be micro-chipped and tracked everywhere

I can't help but think the 14 cops could have covered more ground being on patrol.

It was 2 hours, they would have just burned up fuel driving around.

Were they giving out dollar bills if you had your seatbelt on? :coffee:

It was 2 hours, they would have just burned up fuel driving around.

They would have made it back by just stopping people for a tail light being out, or dark window tint....you know, things that keep us safe

Since when was Horse Shoe Rd in Chaptico? I know it isn't that big of a deal, but it just bugged me that they called that area Chaptico. It is Clements.

did you offer them a hotdog..or burger!! :killingme
Or maybe a Doughnut.??

Sorry, J, your wrong about that..........

Feeds a database.......

Governor O'Malley: License Plate Recognition Announcement (http://www.governor.maryland.gov/speeches/100804.asp)



Keeps normal citizen location data, and stores if for a long time.

Gazette.Net: Montgomery County police cameras take pictures of thousands of cars daily (http://www.gazette.net/article/20120215/NEWS/702159557/1122/Montgomery-County-police-cameras-take-pictures-of-thousands-of-cars-daily&template=gazette)

Gazette.Net: Montgomery County police cameras take pictures of thousands of cars daily (http://www.gazette.net/article/20120215/NEWS/702159557/1122/Montgomery-County-police-cameras-take-pictures-of-thousands-of-cars-daily&template=gazette)


Montgomery County wants to keep it for a year, open access to any LEO, after a year, need the Chiefs permission

Police use cameras to scan tags for scofflaws [video] - The Frederick News-Post Online (http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyid=111414)

Frederick data retained for 90 days.

According to one article here, the MSP does a purge every 24 hours, which is good. And don't get me wrong, J, I do think these things are a tool for good, properly used. But the gathering of movement and location data on citizens not under suspicion strikes me wrong.

As far as I know, the only scanners deployed here in St Marys are on MSP, and so, it's not a factor here.



From said article/announcement:

Today, we’re announcing three strategies we’re advancing to expand license plate recognition in the State of Maryland:
1.We are creating a first-in-the-nation statewide network for license plate recognition which will integrate both state and local data so that we are able to more effectively locate an abducted child, a stolen car, a violent offender who has violated parole, or another threat to safety and security.
2.To maximize the effectiveness of the network for saving lives and protecting our public safety, we are creating a single, easy-to-use database which will allow law enforcement throughout our State to retrieve data from the network.
3.We will use of a combination of federal grants and existing state funds to invest $2 million in 100 new readers, which we will deploy across our State over the next year. The investment will come in the form of grants to local law enforcement agencies – and it will double the $2 million we have provided to local agencies for the deployment of 105 readers across our State.


paragraph, is tied directly to 2 and 3

Yes? I have said, repeatedly, that I am okay with their being a database of tags that officers need to be on the lookout for. That's an acceptable use of the system, IMHO. But the recording of non-criminal citizens tags and locations for storage, that use I feel, while legal, is the first step down a slippery slope. As you can see, some counties are already keeping this data, not just suspect vehicles, but ALL vehicles, for three months, years? Why? In what other aspect of life would the government mass recording citizens movements be okay?

If we placed cameras everywhere in public 24-7, tied into facial recog programs, think of the human suffering that could be prevented. Even more so if we kept the vids for a year or three, just in case we need to go back and track a future Dahlmer. Would that be okay? Where do you stop? The only reason this flies is that the plate is state issue, your tag number isnt legally yours. Weaselly way to get around it, I say. I repeat, the use of wanted tag numbers in a database, used to show officers tags of interest, thats a good thing. But dont watch over me in case I might do something bad in the future, that sort of government distrust of the citizens is a chilling thing.

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."