Officers hit the streets to crack down on drunken driving Officers hit the streets to crack down on drunken driving (December 10, 2003)

During the holiday crackdowns on inebriated drivers that have been held over the past 12 years by San Mateo County law enforcement, Menlo Park police officers have made a total of 166 arrests, with Atherton right behind at 153, said Jan Ford, a spokesperson for the campaign.

This year, officers are again stepping up efforts to catch drunken drivers.

As part of the annual "Avoid the 23" campaign conducted by the county's 23 police agencies, a sobriety checkpoint will be set up in the 300 block of El Camino Real in Menlo Park on Friday, December 19. It's one of nine campaign checkpoints, which start between 7 and 9 p.m. and run until 2 or 3 a.m.

The Menlo Park Police Department will also play a leading role with a special DUI strike team focusing on south San Mateo County. Menlo Park Police Sgt. Mark Boettger will head the team, which hits the streets on Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13.

The campaign will include six strike teams overall, each with a group of 50 to 60 officers from different jurisdictions.

Overall, "Avoid the 23" begins Friday, December 12, and runs through New Year's Day. As part of the effort, the Atherton Police Department will change the schedule of its traffic unit from days to the midnight shift. The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, which patrols Woodside and Portola Valley, will also adjust its hours to focus on DUI enforcement during the campaign.

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