Students questioned city leaders and councilmembers about the legality, location and focus of the recent DUI checkpoints at a forum Thursday afternoon.

Student Congress, The Daily and Union Programming Board co-sponsored the forum, which took place in Meacham Auditorium in Oklahoma Memorial Union.

"DUI checkpoints are not a new issue," Norman police Capt. Jim Maisano said. "Our purpose is not to make more arrests -- our goal is to have people be more responsible when they drink."

Norman city councilman David Hopper said Norman City Council is supportive of the DUI checkpoints and will watch to see if the checkpoints are effective.

"There were over 700 related alcohol arrests last year. Those are too many," Norman city councilman Doug Cubberley said. "The police department can use the checkpoints as a tool to keep drunk drivers off the road."

Rod Jahromi, vice chairman of Student Congress and marketing junior, asked why a checkpoint was conducted on Lindsey Street, which is one of the main streets in Norman, since the department has previously stated that the checkpoints would only be conducted on secondary roads.

"A secondary road is decided by the amount of traffic that would be traveling that night," Maisano said. "Between the time of 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., traffic has a huge drop off."

Maisano said that because secondary roads are determined by traffic flow, checkpoints will never be conducted on Interstate 35. But, he said, checkpoints could be conducted on state Highway 9.

Checkpoint Forumo A sobriety checkpoint forum took place Thursday afternoon at Meacham Auditorium.o Two Norman city councilmembers and two Norman police officers were present to answer questions regarding the checkpoints.o The legality, location and focus of the checkpoints were all discussed at the forum.

One audience member asked about if people can receive a DUI while riding a bike or walking home after drinking alcohol. Norman police Officer Lance Arnold said people cannot get a DUI while riding a bike.

"The only time we arrest people on public intoxication is when they don't know where they are going or have a ride to pick them up," Arnold said. "It's a safety issue for us to get them someplace safe. The only alternative that we have this point in time is the Cleveland County Jail."

Arnold went on to say that most people at the checkpoint who have been arrested refused to take a sobriety test.

Another issue brought up by students was the complaint that checkpoints are targeted at students because of the checkpoints' close proximity to campus.

Maisano said a press release is always handed out stating the checkpoint will take place. But, the releases do not say where the checkpoints will take place.

"The checkpoints are about if we can get one person to change their mind about driving under the influence, then I am completely satisfied," Maisano said.

Tara Tannehill, political science sophomore, said she came to the forum because she wanted to voice her displeasure with the checkpoints.

"I think in the long run the checkpoints aren't effective," Tannehill said. "I think promoting safer means would be more beneficial."

At the forum, Arnold explained the process of the DUI checkpoints, saying it is not long.

"The longest wait, not involving a conversation with an officer, but slowing and stopping, was 35 seconds," Arnold said. "We stress to all our officers to get the cars moving as quick as possible."

About 20 students attended the forum, many of whom are also involved in Student Congress.
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