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St. Patrick's Day DUI police squads assigned

Police hunt drunk drivers; Extra St. Patrick's Day DUI police squads assigned

By Dave Casadei, Independent Newspapers

As St. Patrick's Day celebrants prepare for their night of shamrocks and shenanigans, Phoenix police consider how they can keep city streets safe.

Phoenix Police Department spokesman Joel Tranter noted the department is taking extra measures during the weekend because St. Patrick's Day has long been a holiday associated with drinking.

According to information from Phoenix Police Department's Crime Analysis and Research Unit, Phoenix police issued 20 DUI citations (two in Desert Horizon Precinct) March 17, 2005; 25 DUI citations (three in Desert Horizon Precinct) March 18, 2005; 31 DUI citations (one in Desert Horizon Precinct) March 17, 2006; and 33 DUI citations (five in Desert Horizon Precinct) March 18, 2006.

Mr. Tranter noted Phoenix police plan to have driving-under-the-influence enforcement vans strategically placed throughout the Valley, as well as three motorcycle enforcement squads patrolling neighborhoods near the Valley's various Irish bars — including Northeast Phoenix's The Dubliner Irish Pub, 3841 E. Thunderbird Road.

Other bars police plan to patrol include Padre Murphy's, 4338 W. Bell Road; and Rosie McCaffrey's Irish Pub and Restaurant, 906 E. Camelback Road.

Anthem attorney Craig Boates said bartenders serving obviously intoxicated patrons can expect trouble.

According to Arizona Revised Statute 4-311, a bar is liable for property damage, personal injuries and wrongful death if it serves alcohol to someone who is obviously intoxicated or under the legal drinking age.

However, Mr. Boates said determining whether an individual is intoxicated is sometimes a difficult task.

According to Arizona Revised Statute 28-1381, the state's blood alcohol content limit for a regular DUI is 0.08.

Attorney Kathleen Carey

Kathleen Carey is an experienced and passionate advocate for her clients.

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