Drunken driving arrests down slightly for 2008

The number of drunken driving arrests made by the Rosemount Police Department dropped slightly for 2008. Police chief Gary Kalstabakken is waiting for the results of a few more tests but said it looks as though police will have made about 230 DWI arrests in the last year.

In 2007 the department had its highest number of DWI arrests ever with 257. The year before that the city had 168 arrests.

Last year Kalstabakken credited the increase in arrests to stepped up efforts to get intoxicated drivers off the road. While this year's number of arrests dropped Kalstabakken said 230 is still high for a city the size of Rosemount.

Officer Mikael Dahlstrom made the most arrests again this year, Kalstabakken said. Last year Dahlstrom received the police officer of the year award for his efforts to crack down on drunken driving. Dahlstrom busted 100 offenders.

The Rosemount Police Department has a reputation for being hard nosed on drunk driving. Kalstabakken said that reputation has come with some good and bad publicity.

“It's our intention to make everyone safe by getting people who shouldn't be driving off the road,” said Kalstabakken. “How people interpret that varies though.”

As 2009 begins Kalstabakken said he hopes residents will think more about their actions and be responsible.

“We want people to go out and have a good time but be responsible, plan ahead and use a designated driver,” he suggested.

Tags: dui, arrests, drunken, driving