Checkpoint Relocation Increases DUI Arrests

After holding a series of DUI checkpoints on Pacific Coast Highway throughout the year, the Seal Beach Police Department relocated their checkpoints to Seal Beach Boulevard recently, a move that significantly increased the checkpoint arrest rates.

For three weekends leading up to and through Labor Day, the department set up checkpoints right in front of the police station at Seal Beach Boulevard and Adolfo Lopez Drive. Labor Day weekend the Seal Beach Police Department reported an increase in the number of DUIs they usually see during the holiday weekend. According to Sergeant Steve Bowles, police found a higher amount of drivers under the influence because of the new location for the DUI checkpoint.

“We believe we saw more DUIs on Seal Beach Boulevard because a lot of people use it to get to the 405 and 22 freeways to get home,” Bowles said. “The number of DUIs was definitely higher than usual this year.”

DUIs weren’t the only thing the department dealt with this week, though. Among the highlights are a search for a missing swimmer and a scuffle at a local surf shop.

Reported from the Seal Beach blotter for the most recent week reported.

8/30/11—1:18 p.m. — Seal Beach Boulevard — Vehicle burglary. A couple of bags and two laptop computers were stolen from a silver Mercedes Benz.

8/30/11 — 1:32 p.m. — 1250 Pacific Coast Highway — Disturbing the peace. Arlene Louise Bremner, a 43 year-old woman from Long Beach, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and using a teargas weapon after stealing items from Inflight Surf and Sail. For more details about the incident, see last week's .

8/31/11 — 6:19 p.m. — A row — Missing swimmer. Joyane Binford, a 24 year-old man from Long Beach, went missing after swimming off the Orange County coastline during a high surf advisory. After a joint search between the Seal Beach police department and Seal Beach lifeguards, the man was not found and officials said they believe the man drowned. For more details, see last week's .

9/1/11 — 5:18 a.m. — 12850 Seal Beach Boulevard. A woman was found passed out in her car in the parking lot of the Ayres Hotel. After calling police for medical aid, it was discovered that she had a syringe in her car and the woman was arrested for possessing drug paraphernalia.

9/1/11 — 3:20 p.m. — 16th Street — Drunk in Public. A transient was in front of the caller’s home blocking the garage. When the caller attempted to speak with him the man barely responded and smelled of alcohol. The man was ultimately arrested on suspicion of being drunk in public.

9/1/11 — 6:27 p.m. — 5th and Ocean — Fight. Two drunk males were seen fighting on the sand. One of the men involved was taken into custody on an arrest warrant.

9/2/11—1:47 p.m. — 1101 Pacific Coast Highway — A woman was arrest on suspicion of petty theft at Pavilions.

9/2/11—8:56 p.m. — Broadway/Pacific Coast Highway — DUI. A woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

9/2/11 — 11:27 p.m. — Pacific Coast Highway/Anderson — Traffic violations. A man was arrested for having outstanding warrants for five vehicle code violations, totaling $1,500 in fines.

9/3/11 — 12:01 a.m. — Main/Electric — DUI. A man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

9/3/11 — 6:28 p.m. — 911 Seal Beach Boulevard — DUI. A man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

9/3/11 —8: 36 p.m. — 911 Seal Beach Boulevard — DUI. A man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

9/3/11 —8: 54 p.m. — RD C/ Seal Beach Boulevard — DUI. A man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

9/3/11 — 10:30 p.m. — Forrestal/ Seal Beach — DUI. A woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

9/3/11 — 11:45 p.m. — 911 Seal Beach Boulevard — Illegal substance. A man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance.

9/4/11 — 6:18 p.m. — Seal Beach Boulevard — Multiple charge arrest. A man was arrested on suspicion of not possessing a valid driver’s license, failure to appear in court, and for having material in his car that obstructs the driver’s view.

9/4/11 — 6:55 p.m. — Pacific Coast Highway/Seal Beach — DUI. A man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

9/4/ 11 — 7: 52 p.m. — Pacific Coast Highway/Anderson — DUI. A woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.