|
|
||
|
|
Law Enforcement Officers Clarify Position on Plan to Curb Alcohol Related Fatalities By Robert E. Martin On Sunday, January 27th, the headline on the front page of The Saginaw News boldly proclaimed 'Police Target Tavern Owners'. The story went on to state businesses that serve alcohol to intoxicated patrons face closer scrutiny under a plan that would "likely involve dedicating at least two officers to identifying and ticketing those businesses." The plan was purportedly the concoction of Saginaw County Sheriff Charles L. Brown and State Police 1st Lt. Mark Soffin, commander of the Bridgeport Post, and was allegedly in response to an increase in fatalities that claimed 34 lives in Saginaw County last year, half of which were alcohol related. In recent years, increased penalties and lower levels that define 'legal intoxication' have prompted the majority of tavern owners to train employees in techniques of alcohol management, or at a minimum, phone for a cab if a patron has consumed one drink too many. With the majority of tavern & restaurant owners establishing good and responsible relationships with law enforcement, the announcement came as a surprise to many. Given the need to balance public safety with the cultivation of viable business and entertainment outlets in Saginaw County, this approach of planned "selective enforcement" was a shocker to tavern & restaurant owners, as well as patrons. Apart from being potentially illegal on the basis of selective prosecution and entrapment, the message being sent was a fearful one. "The economy is difficult enough without adding to our problems," commented one owner. "The Westside Business District is comprised mainly of taverns & restaurants and is the last viable commercial base that the City of Saginaw has left," commented another. "How can economic development and growth of an entertainment district occur with this type of climate?" While all owners we spoke to agreed that responsibility is paramount, and that added training for staff offered in the plan was a welcomed solution, they also pointed out that there is only so much a person can do. "At some point it comes down to the individual," noted one owner. "Some people can be legally intoxicated, yet hold their liquor very well. Short of installing a Breathalyzer in each establishment, what are we supposed to do? If somebody goes to a pharmacy and buys a prophylactic and it breaks on them and a girl gets pregnant, does that make the pharmacist liable?" Over the Top Reporting? When the Review prepared to follow-up on this planned new agenda, our thought was to interview Soffin, Brown, tavern owners, and patrons. Indeed, one owner informed us that WNEM-TV5 was working on a response from tavern owners for Take Five. But when the piece didn't air, we got suspicious. A phone call to reporter Janis Utley, who was working on the piece, set off a disturbing alarm. "We cancelled the story because it wasn't true," commented Utley. "I spoke with Mark Soffin at the Bridgeport Post and he indicated that the Saginaw News story was written out-of-context. Apparently they don't have a budget to dedicate two police officers to target taverns. I put a call out to Sheriff Brown, but he hasn't returned my calls." A phone call to Soffin confirmed this. "I was very disappointed in that article," commented Lt. Soffin. "Sheriff Brown and I talked about many options for addressing this problem of intoxication, and dedicated officers was just one of them. Frankly, given the state budget crisis, dedicated officers is a costly proposition." "We don't want to send the wrong signal out by minimizing the problem," continued Soffin, "because we do intend to increase public awareness about the problem, especially among younger adults. And we welcome all cooperation from establishments in terms of furthering alcohol awareness training among their employees, but we are not targeting some massive crackdown." When Sheriff Charles Brown was contacted about the piece, he echoed Soffin's sentiments. "The headline was a bit much," commented Brown, "because that was just one component of our plan. Actually, what we intend to do is ask people that we do arrest for drunk driving to identify where it is that they've been drinking." "We do know of a couple places that have a history for problems," continued Brown, "and we do intend to address those establishments. But no, we are not going to dedicate officers to constant surveillance of all the restaurants, taverns, and entertainment districts in the area." "Drinking is a serious problem," continued Brown, "and we simply want the public to be aware of the consequences. If you've had too much to drink, it is much cheaper to call for a $30.00 cab ride than suffer the consequences of a DUIL or possibly losing your job and livelihood." Balance Is the Key When the Review contacted Saginaw News reporter LaNia Coleman about the piece she had written, her response was one of surprise. "I wrote what they told me," she commented. Obviously, the citizens of Saginaw County wish to have a safe community to live, but they also need to be able to enjoy the entertainment, dining, and cultural activities offered throughout their community without living in a shroud of fear. In order for a democracy to function, all the players & participants must act responsibly. The variety of entertainment offered in the clubs throughout Saginaw County has blossomed greatly in recent years. Balancing the legitimate interests that often compete within a community is of crucial importance. And the last thing we need is 'over-reaction' to a situation or problem that can be readily solved through commitment, understanding, and cooperation.
|
|
|
|
Enable frames | |
|
home | out/about | events | personal | store | classified | real estate | forums | archives | contact |
||
