Sobriety Checkpoint Scheduled Friday

The Oxnard Police Department will operate a sobriety checkpoint from 7 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday.

The location will not be announced.

The department has been engaged in an aggressive campaign to remove impaired and unlicensed drivers from Oxnard’s roadways, and the checkpoints--six so far this year--have been an important part of that campaign, said Traffic Officer Randy Latimer.

“The checkpoints are effective not only because they put the word out that we’re going after drunk drivers, but because they educate people as well,” Latimer said.

“I’ve seen people going through our checkpoints in taxicabs saying, ‘I knew there was going to be a checkpoint tonight and I decided to take a cab,’ ” he said.

During the checkpoint, drivers found to be without proper licensing will be cited and their vehicles may be stored for up to 30 days.

Drivers suspected of driving under the influence will be arrested and their vehicles will be stored.

The Oxnard police have conducted sobriety checkpoints since 1994. According to Latimer, police departments in Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Ventura are pursuing a grant to operate a total of 72 checkpoints over a two-year period, beginning in October.

“That’s two checkpoints per month in each city,” Latimer said.