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Police Credit Computer System With Rise in DWI Arrests New system reduces time to process driver

Updated 12:42 AM CDT, Wed, Nov 19, 2008

Lewisville police Officer Chris Clements
KXAS

Lewisville police Officer Chris Clements has arrested 150 people this year on suspicion of drunken driving.

 

Lewisville police say drunken-driving arrests are up because a new state computer system cuts down on the amount of time it takes to process a driver.

Police Credit Computer System With Rise in DWI Arrests

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Lewisville police say drunken-driving arrests are up because a new state computer system cuts down on the amount of time it takes to process a driver.

Officers arrested 60 people on drunken-driving charges last month. Most of the arrests were made on Interstate 35E and Business 121.

The department says the new computer system lets officers spend more time of the street.

"Before, it would take an officer up to eight hours to complete a report," Officer Chris Clements said.

Within 20 minutes of driving along Interstate 35, Clements cited a driver for an open can of beer at about 6:30 p.m.

"Even people out during the day -- you'd be surprised how many people are over the legal limit," Clements said.

He stopped a swerving pickup truck when he noticed the beer, Clements said.

"When I got up there, I noticed a beer in the center console, and it had about a quarter of the can left," he said.

The driver passed a field sobriety test and was issued a ticket for an open container.

Clements has arrested 150 people this year on suspicion of drunken driving.

"Three is the highest number I've had on my shift," he said. "I haven't been able to break that record yet, but I'm trying."

The department is averaging 40 or 50 arrests a month.

Motorist Manuj Singhal said the number of arrests was "scary."

"It's a little concerning," he said. "I didn't realize there were that many."

Lewisville police entered more DWI cases into the new system last month than any other department in the state.

Police said they are now able to process a driver in half the time it used to take.

"I feel more confident that there are police officers looking out for us and not spending too much time with all the paperwork," Lewisville resident Mary Rolfe said.

Comments (7)

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  • Lewisville resident Wednesday, Nov 19 at 3:49 PM FLAG COMMENT This is very welcome tool in my opinion. The I35/121 area is a horrible intersection and add in drinking. If you drink stay the heck out of a car. Good for the police. They also need to demolish that motel pines
  • T BONED Wednesday, Nov 19 at 9:55 AM FLAG COMMENT JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR THE GOV TO ROB US.YOU CAN HAVE A DRINK AT A RESTUARANT AND GET A DUI/DWI THESE DAYS AND IT WILL CAOST YOU 10K ON YOUR 1ST ONE.ITS A SCAM.......
  • old timer Wednesday, Nov 19 at 9:45 AM FLAG COMMENT they burried one last week in Kaufman this is what they mean when moy cant afford it.they said that this boy was a good boy but he made a bad dission to brink and drive.i dont know what else he had in his system!!
  • rbirke Wednesday, Nov 19 at 7:33 AM FLAG COMMENT The message is SO SIMPLE: Do not get tanked up and get behind the wheel!!!!! If you want to get drunk, stay home or get someone else to drive you home! YOU don't have the right to put the rest of us in danger!
  • Crog Wednesday, Nov 19 at 7:29 AM FLAG COMMENT Nice buddy b. If you are going to knock someone who most likely is not from Oklahoma anyway, for their IQ, you might want to get your grammer right. I do agree that Police are doing a good job and should continue.

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