Countywide DUI enforcement operation scheduled for Friday

Rather than a typical checkpoint at one location, the San Bruno Police Department has organized officers from both state and local agencies to be out on the roads on Friday, Lethin said. 

“We work in a great county where there’s a strong partnership,” he said. “A vast majority of us are going to be coming together all throughout the county to have different cars out there dedicated to addressing impaired driving all throughout the county.” 

In addition to holding inebriated drivers accountable and taking them off the road, Lethin is hopeful that knowledge of the operation will deter some drivers from getting into their cars while intoxicated and pick a safer option, like getting a ride or taking an Uber or Lyft. 

“[We’re] letting people know in advance to hopefully deter and help them make better choices about how they get around,” he said. “If people are going to be out there driving impaired, we’re going to find them. We’re going to hold them accountable.” 

During the holiday season, particularly on weekends, many communities see an uptick of driving under the influence, making operations like these all the more important, Lethin said. 

“This time of year, especially with the holidays, on weekends, we recognize there’s just more drunk and impaired driving in San Bruno and in so many other cities. It’s a significant public safety concern,” he said. 

The operation is funded from a mix of California Office of Traffic Safety grant money, San Bruno’s cannabis tax grant and the regular police department budget. 

A briefing will occur beforehand, at 5 p.m., at the San Bruno Recreation and Aquatic Center.