DUI News

Florida DUI Arrest Contest Costs $1,720,000

W F Casey Ebsary Jr

The hidden costs of the “Florida DUI Arrest Contest,” a controversial competition among law enforcement agencies are being reported. While headlines tout awarded safety equipment, the reality reveals a staggering financial burden on citizens. This contest, incentivizing DUI arrests with prizes, has led to estimated costs exceeding $1.7 million, encompassing legal fees, fines, and soaring insurance premiums.

Explore the implications of these contests, where the pursuit of awards may overshadow public safety. Delve into the debate surrounding potential quota systems and the validity of related law enforcement training, and understand the true price paid by Florida drivers.

Q&A on Florida DUI Arrest Contest

Florida DUI Arrest Contest
Florida DUI Arrest Contest
What was the “DUI Arrest Contest” in Florida, and what were the prizes?

It was a competition among law enforcement agencies to see who could make the most DUI arrests. The prizes included cash and equipment; in one instance, a police department won $18,000 for DUI safety equipment.

What were the estimated total costs to citizens resulting from this contest?

The estimated total costs to citizens were $1,720,000.

How was the $1,720,000 figure calculated?

It was calculated by estimating the legal fees, fines, and insurance increases associated with each DUI arrest. The calculations were as follows:

Legal Fees: $5,000 per arrest
Fines: $2,500 per arrest
Insurance Increase: $12,500 per arrest

What was the return on investment (ROI) for the contest organizers?

The ROI was calculated to be 9500 percent. The $18,000 prize given out, resulted in 1,720,000 in costs to citizens.

What concerns were raised about these contests?

Concerns were raised about potential quota systems, civil rights violations, and the focus on “prizes” rather than public safety. There were also concerns raised about the validity of the “Drug Recognition Expert” training that some of the police officers recieved.

Table of Estimated Florida DUI Arrest Contest Costs:

Florida DUI Arrest Contest
Cost CategoryCost Per ArrestTotal Cost (86 Arrests)
Legal Fees$5,000$430,000
Fines$2,500$215,000
Insurance Increase$12,500$1,075,000
Total Estimated Costs to Citizens$1,720,000

Original Florida DUI Arrest Contest Post Data

Arrest Contest, DUI Arrest, DUI Arrest Contest,
Give away $18,000
Cost citizens nearly $2,000,000.
9500 percent ROI. 

How to Win a DUI Arrest Contest

 
As a Georgia DUI Lawyer noted, when contests and quotas are in play, some police agencies keep their eyes on the prize. In that case , there is a civil rights lawsuit attacking quotas for DUI Arrests.
 
 

Florida DUI Arrest Contest – True Costs

 
Meanwhile, back in Florida, one small Florida town became the best losers by finishing second in the DUI Arrest Contest that is an ongoing competition to see who can make the most arrests and win cash and prizes. They won $18,000 for 86 arrests.
 

 

Let’s do the math (show your work) and find the actual cost to some Americans – $1,720,000.

86 Arrests x $5,000.00 Legal Fees =   $   430,000
86 Arrests x $2,500.00 Fines =  $   215,000

86 Arrests x $12,500 Insurance Increase = $1,075,000

Total Estimated Costs to Citizens =                  $1,720,000

Great return on investment.

Give away $18,000 and cost citizens nearly $2,000,000.
This is a 9500 percent return on investment ( ROI ).

By the way, the headline read, “Village police win $18,000 for DUI safety equipment.” The police in this town also train cops in the faux science of Drug Symptom Recognition. The chief of police sends his”Drug Recognition Enforcement (DRE) program officers to attend numerous DUI checkpoints and training to gain valuable experience.”  We have covered the fake science associated with Drug Recognition Experts and their creation by the DUI Industrial Complex here.

 
Read the complete DUI Arrest Contest Winners story here:
 
 

Previous Florida DUI Arrest Contest Coverage