Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Mobile DWI Checkpoint Vehicle

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department has a new tool on the street to combat drunk driving. Recently, the agency took possession of a new Mobile Blood Alcohol Testing Vehicle, otherwise known as the "BAT Mobile".

The vehicle is a fully equipped motorhome which will be used as a mobile command post. It features computer work stations, AWINS radio capability, inboard and outboard video cameras and screens, as well as auxillary flood lighting equipment. "Datamaster" breath test machines are scheduled to be installed by the Department of Health as soon as possible.

DWI checkpoints almost always take place at night. In general, running a DWI checkpoint is hazardous because officers are on foot in the roadway and are hoping to encounter drunk drivers. This is done by having several officers stand in the roadway shielded by traffic cones and patrol cars. Every vehicle that approaches the checkpoint is then stopped.

This presents numerous problems associated with officer safety as well as the safety of other drivers. In the past, when a DWI checkpoint was set up, officers would travel to a pre-planned area that already had sufficient lighting. A utility trailer was brought to the scene which contained traffic cones, caution signs, and a generator for extra lights. All of this then had to be set up. There was rarely an area suitable for paperwork and suspect processing, or for officers to get out of the weather. Any suspected offender had to be taken from the scene to the Bi-State Center for breath testing and booking if necessary.

The availability of the BAT Mobile eliminates many of the safety issues involved with running a checkpoint. The flood lighting capability, coupled with indoor suspect processing facilities, creates a safe environment for everyone involved. Indoor computer work stations will allow an officer to complete all suspect processing before calling for a transport unit. An arrest report can be completed at the scene and transmitted to the jail computer while the suspect is being driven to the Bi-State Center Jail. This is expected to drastically cut down the times involved with processing an offender. If there is not much traffic in one particular area, the vehicle can be ready to move to another location in less than 10 minutes.

In addition to these features, the camera systems will ensure that a suspect driver is on video from the time they pull through the checkpoint until they arrive at the jail.

Chief Bob Harrison was quoted as saying "For years, the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department has taken every step possible to combat drunk driving in the community that we serve. We will now take the next step in enforcing the law against drunk drivers in our city. Our goal is not to issue tickets, our goal is to save lives."

The message that this vehicle sends to potential drunk drivers is this

"Rolling DWI Checkpoints….Anytime and Anywhere."

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.