2006 DPS Annual Report - Arizona Department of Public Safety

Highway Patrol
Division
Operation Tequila Sunrise concludes after 9 months
Metro East Patrol originally received a $25,000 grant from the DUI Abatement Council
for the apprehension of subjects with outstanding DUI arrest warrants. The program
lasted for 9 months during FY 2006. The final phase of the program called
“Operation Tequila Sunrise” was a cooperative effort with the Chandler and Peoria
Police Departments. During this final phase, officers arrested 43 suspects, clearing 53
arrest warrants. During the entire program, officers arrested 124 subjects, clearing
176 arrest warrants.
The Department conducts 3-month, “Operation Maximum Impact ” on Phoenix
Metropolitan Freeway System
The Arizona Department of Public Safety conducted Maximum Impact details during FY 2006. One occurred
from Jan. 10, 2005 through Apr. 10, 2005 on the Phoenix Metropolitan Freeway system, primarily Interstate 17,
Interstate 10, State Route 51, Loop 101, U.S. 60, and the Loop 202. An additional detail was conducted from
May 25, 2005 through July 29, 2005 on State Route 101.
The mission of Maximum Impact was to decrease traffic collisions during operational hours and to ensure
the safe movement of the motoring public. Enforcement emphasis was placed on impacting hazardous
driving, removing impaired, aggressive, and inattentive drivers and promoting the increased use of childsafety
restraints and seat belts.
The DPS utilized on-duty officers, augmented with overtime funding through the Arizona Governor’s
Office of Highway Safety in partnership with local law enforcement agencies to work this program. FY
2006 was the fifth year that Maximum Impact was used to reduce collisions and target drivers who drive at
excessive speeds and while impaired. Officers were detailed throughout the week during off-peak times to
locations that were identified as having high crash rates during specific time periods.
During Maximum Impact FY 2006, the following activities were stressed:
• Zero-Tolerance for collision causing violations.
• Reduction of response time to collisions and disabled motorists.
• Immediate removal of all collisions and hazards from the roadway.
These highly successful operations resulted in the following activity:
• 3837 violators stopped, and increase of 46% from FY 2005.
• 439 hazardous citations issued.
• 272 motorists assisted.
• 65 occupant restraint citations.
• 2822 speeding citations (highest recorded 137 MPH).
• 67 total arrests.
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