Driving drunk could cost you

Edwin Hernandez Jr., Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson civilian police officer, talks with a driver during Operation Nighthawk on JBER, Oct. 12. The operation was a random driving-under-the-influence checkpoint the 673d Security Forces Squadron set up to administer preliminary breathalyzer tests to all driving military members or to civilians who showed signs of being intoxicated. The purpose of the checkpoint was to deter military members from drinking and driving. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer)

Driving drunk could cost you

Edwin Hernandez Jr., Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson civilian police officer, administers a preliminary breathalyzer test to a military driver during Operation Nighthawk on JBER, Oct. 12. Operation Nighthawk is one of the many random driving-under-the-influence checkpoints the 673d Security Forces Squadron sets up during the year as a deterrent against drunk driving. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer)

Driving drunk could cost you

Published Oct. 17, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer
JBER Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The 673d Security Forces Squadron conducted a driving under the influence checkpoint Oct. 12 to deter military members from driving drunk.

Officers used the checkpoint to make sure anyone who drove on base was sober. Military members operating a vehicle were automatically given a preliminary breath test
upon arriving to the Boniface or JBER-Richardson gates.

The 673d SFS sets up checkpoints at random times each year to help detect drivers under the influence of alcohol and keep Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson safe for members and their families.

Despite numerous safer alternatives, some on base have made the wrong choice.

"We have had more than 139 individuals drive under the influence of alcohol so far this year on JBER," said Officer Edwin Hernandez Jr., JBER police officer.

Designated drivers , taxis and Joint Base Against Drunk Driving offer JBER members options to get home safely.

"There is no excuse for anyone to drink and drive," said Army Master Sgt. Salvatore Urzi, 673d Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent.

SFS members were on the lookout for the odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes and any swerving when individuals drove up to the gate. Officers administered a breath test to
all military members and those suspected of driving under the influence. If their test numbers were high enough to be at the legal limit, the SFS took action by administering a field sobriety test. Individuals that pass the breath test or field sobriety test can proceed through the gate. If an individual does not pass the tests, the officer transports them to the SFS station for follow on processing.

"Anytime we suspect somebody of drinking and driving, we cannot allow them to proceed farther or we are violating the law," Urzi said.

"Our whole mission is not to hammer people and punish them," said Hernandez. "It's more of a deterrent to maintain the utmost professionalism for a professional standard that is required from a military member."

Officers present two options to an intoxicated individual about their vehicle.

"If we do apprehend them and bring them back to the station, we first ask them if we can move their car. Most of the time they say yes," Urzi said. "If they refuse, we have it towed and the individual incurs the expense of towing and storage of their vehicle."

An individual's first sergeant is often notified of the members status. The first sergeant then determines what action to take, which could include non-judicial punishment, depending on the circumstances.

"We're after good behavior and being safe," said Air Force Col. Brian Duffy, 673d Air Base Wing commander. "This is just another step in that journey."