You Drink, You Drive, You Lose: Sobriety Checkpoints at Mammoth Cave

I started the first week of July here at Mammoth Cave by completing an inventory of the park's search and rescue equipment. After the inventory was completed, I got to take the park's UTV training. After studying the written standard operating procedures and completing a short exam, I got to take the UTV for a test drive, driving it on the road as well as off road. 

Later in the week, I went on a ride along and I was able to sit in on a traffic stop that resulted in an arrest for an outstanding warrant. While the initial stop was for reckless driving, it turned out that the driver had failed to pay court fines and a bench warrant had been issued for his arrest in a nearby county. Once he was arrested, the rangers transported him to the county line, where he was turned over to local law enforcement.

The most significant event of the week, of course, was the law enforcement division's preparations for the Fourth of July. On the third and fourth, the law enforcement division ran sobriety checkpoints within the park in order to prevent drunk driving. I helped prepare for the checkpoints by collecting the signs, cones, spotlights, and drug testing kits needed for the operation. I also was able to change my schedule and work the nights that the checkpoints were run. In the DUI checkpoints, vehicles were briefly stopped and inspected by the law enforcement rangers. Rangers checked drivers' licenses and vehicle registrations, and if all was well, sent the cars on their way. On the checkpoint I was put to work recording vehicle violations, license plate numbers, and the number of vehicles passing through the checkpoint. However, if there were any signs of drugs or alcohol in the vehicle or if the driver appeared to be under the influence, the car would be pulled over, the vehicle potentially searched and the driver given a field sobriety test. Of course, some drivers attempted to evade the checkpoint. However, if the vehicle violated traffic laws in the process, for example, by making an illegal u-turn, running a stop sign, or failing to signal, it could be pulled over on a traffic stop. 

The checkpoints were a success, and both nights ended in arrests for driving under the influence. It was a great experience being able to help out and I learned a lot about stops, vehicle searches, and field sobriety testing by watching the park rangers and local law enforcement carry out their duties. 

Waiting for vehicles to arrive at the checkpoint

Recording plate numbers and violations

I finished out my week by learning more about IMARS, the Incident Management Analysis and Reporting System. The system is used by the Department of the Interior to file and manage law enforcement information and of course, file reports. I also visited dispatch and got to watch the dispatcher manage radio calls from different agencies as well as 911 calls.