26 Arrested in Mobile Hunt for Drunk Drivers

Police arrested 26 people on suspicion of drunk driving Thursday night in North Hollywood and Pacoima and expect to arrest 100 more over the weekend using a mobile police station, the officer in charge of the unit said Friday.

“This is good drinking weather,” said Sgt. Mike Pattee, who heads the Immediate Booking and Release System, or IBARS. “In nice, warm weather everybody wants to get out and drink and drive.”

Eleven motorcycle officers are assigned to patrol Vineland Avenue, Tujunga Avenue, Lankershim Boulevard, Oxnard Street, Victory Boulevard and Laurel Canyon Boulevard, he said.

Motorists stopped by motorcycle officers are given a sobriety test. Those who fail are taken by patrol car to the mobile station--two converted RTD buses--where they are processed and held until a sober friend or relative can drive them home, Pattee said.

If no ride is arranged, suspected drunk drivers are held at the closest police building, he said.

IBARS officers began work in February and move their operation around the city, Pattee said. This series of Valley-area sweeps began this week, he said.