FHP checkpoint yields 82 arrests

PANAMA CITY BEACH 

Troopers at a Back Beach Road checkpoint made 82 arrests and checked more than 1,100 cars over a five-hour period Friday night, said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Rick Warden.
Warden said he didn’t want to release specific results of the operation until he reported them to supervisors, but he said four people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Troopers also made several arrests for narcotics and “numerous” misdemeanor arrests. The remaining arrests were for traffic violations, Warden said.

The purpose of the checkpoints is to get motorists to focus on safe driving. “Our mission, initially, is to inform the public,” Warden said. “Any arrest we make after informing the public … is basically a bonus.”

In situations where the checkpoint caused unacceptable traffic delays, troopers would suspend the operation until congestion was alleviated, Warden said. Otherwise, every vehicle that passed the checkpoint was inspected.

Troopers with K-9s conducted sniff-searches of vehicles suspected of carrying narcotics. Most of the people arrested on narcotics charges were released at the scene with court dates.

Warden said the operation went well, and he hoped drivers got the message. “We would like to drive safely during the holidays and practice safety,” Warden said.