Saturation Patrols In Effect Across Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County.
BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Drinking and driving or boating and driving is never a good idea, but it’s an especially bad idea today — Labor Day — in South Florida.
Law Enforcement agencies in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties reaching out to BocaNewsNow.com say they are launching massive enforcement operations and saturation patrols for the Labor Day holiday to observe, stop, and arrest motorists and boaters who are under the influence. A check Monday of Palm Beach County arrests shows several DUI and related offenses already on the books.
While driving under the influence is a known offense, many BocaNewsNow.com readers express surprise when “BUI” offenses are reported. Readers are also surprised to learn that Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has the authority to stop and arrest boaters who are under the influence. A simple open bottle of beer on a boat is enough to warrant a stop on the intracoastal waterways — and potentially an arrest. As of Monday morning, however, only one boater had been arrested by FWC since Friday — a man who lives in Jupiter. Local police departments also have the authority to stop and arrest boaters.
Saturation patrols are expected to continue through Monday night. Check back later this week for a list of South Palm Beach County DUI and BUI arrests logged over the Labor Day holiday weekend.
