Law enforcement agencies always up enforcement efforts during the holidays, which traditionally have more incidents of driving under the influence (DUI) and theft crimes, such as shoplifting. According to the Sun-Sentinel, there was no substantial increase in crime during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in South Florida thanks to enforcement efforts.
Law enforcement officers maintained a strong presence of uniformed and undercover officers at South Florida's shopping districts, malls, and centers in order to deter potential thieves and search for any suspicious activity. On days like Black Friday, shoppers will unload a batch of purchased merchandise into their car before heading back for more shopping. It is common for thieves to wait for such an opportunity to steal the merchandise from the shopper's car. Aside from the arrest of four women who were charged with felony retail theft after allegedly stealing over $300 worth of merchandise from Macy's, there were no out of the ordinary crimes during the holiday.
In addition to local law enforcement efforts, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) also cracked down on DUI and other traffic violations during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. In that time, FHP troopers arrested 136 people for DUI. Seven DUI arrests were made in Palm Beach and Broward counties. The increase in traffic enforcement will continue until the end of the year, with special attention on New Year's weekend.
Law enforcement agencies always prepare for the worst during the holidays which is understandable, but preparing for the worst sometimes pushes well-meaning officers to find violations when none actually exist. This is especially the case for DUI.
If you have been charged with DUI in Florida, you face serious consequences, including suspension of your driver's license. The experienced Palm Beach County DUI defense attorneys at Musca Law have a critical understanding of Florida DUI law and procedure and are committed to protecting the legal rights of our clients. We will investigate the details of your DUI or any constitutional violations, mistakes, or misconduct and build a strong defense on your behalf. To learn more, contact us today at (888) 484-5057 for a free and confidential consultation.