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In March of 2001 the
Sheriff's Office purchased a Chevrolet, one-ton, extended van known as the
Breath Alcohol Testing (B.A.T.) Unit.
The clearly marked vehicle is
utilized by both traffic and patrol deputies and is equipped with onboard
cameras, radar, a computer and printer, an intoxilyzer and a two-person jail
cell. Traffic
deputies utilize the van during DUI checkpoints and can even bring it to the
scene of a suspected DUI offender. Its mobility makes the B.A.T. Unit
more efficient because it reduces the amount of time that a suspected offender
has to wait before being tested.
Other agencies such as the
Sarasota Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol and the Manatee County
Sheriff's Office utilize the services of the B.A.T. Unit. In the future,
the Traffic Unit anticipates assisting other agencies such as the Venice
Police Department and the Department of Transportation. |
