MADD Lauds Officers With Top Arrest Marks

Police officers who arrested the largest number of intoxicated drivers will be honored Thursday by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The 10th annual MADD banquet at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda will recognize officers from municipal police departments, the California Highway Patrol and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department who apprehended at least 100 drunk drivers from July 1, 1995, to June 30. Some are credited with more than 300 busts.

“This is the grand finale, if you will, of our recognition where we give special honors to the cream of the crop of law enforcement officers,” said Reidel Post, director of MADD’s Orange County chapter.

“MADD recognizes the fact that a DUI enforcement officer has an especially high level of dedication and commitment to road-safety issues,” Post said.

Stepped-up law enforcement is one of the major reasons drunk-driving fatalities are down 50% countywide since 1990, Post said. “I credit these officers as being a major factor in the savings of numerous lives.”

Ten deputy district attorneys, including Orange County Supervisor-elect Todd Spitzer, also will be recognized for prosecuting DUI cases.

Speakers will be Irvine Police Chief Charles Brobeck, Assistant Dist. Atty. Brent Romney and Municipal Judge Pamela L. Iles.

Tickets are $20.

Information: (714) 835-6233.