Extra patrols planned for Labor Day Weekend

Extra officers and DUI checkpoints will be key to keeping people safe on the Central Coast, as people have one last hurrah before summer ends. Like most holidays, the biggest thing law enforcement worries about is people driving under the influence. According to Sergeant Gerry Ross you should designate a sober driver before drinking. “You know historically we know what streets we normally arrest drunk drivers. Mainly we know what streets drunk drivers crash on so officers focus on those areas,” said SPD Sgt. Gerry Ross. DUI is much more than drinking, it includes marijuana, even prescription pills. In Santa Cruz the CHP plans to conduct a DUI Checkpoint Friday night. The CHP predicts traffic will be heavy on Highway 1 from Santa Cruz to Big Sur. Also, Highway 101 in Monterey County will see heavy southbound traffic, as many head to LA and also northbound toward the Bay Area. In Santa Cruz county, C-H-P says Highway 17 will be heavy going southbound Friday and Northbound on Monday. Downtown Santa Cruz is also expected to be extremely busy.