Posted on 04/16/2006 10:58:04 AM PDT by sully777
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Reuters) - A controversial Texas program to send undercover agents into bars to arrest drunks has been halted after a firestorm of protest from the public.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has "temporarily suspended" what it called "Operation Last Call" even though it still believes it was worthwhile, commission spokeswoman Carolyn Beck said on Thursday.
"We understand that everything has room for improvement, this included," she said.
She said most of those arrested in the sting operations had been "dangerously drunk" and might have tried to drive if TABC agents had not busted them.
The TABC has launched an internal investigation of Operation Last Call and a Texas Legislature committee will hold hearings on the program on Monday.
The TABC announced the program in late August but it received little attention at the time.
But recent media reports that drunks were being arrested in bars provoked both ridicule and anger around the world and, perhaps more importantly, complaints from hotels, restaurants and bars in Texas who said it could hurt business.
The program drew support from groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
The Houston Chronicle found that 1,740 people across the state had been arrested for public intoxication in Operation Last Call.
This is truly an invasion of your rights to free association in life. I don't care if you want to get smashed every night, that's your business....and no one elses! To arrest someone because they "might" do something while drunk, is asinine and smacks of "big brother" and the
do-gooders at the Texas ABC should find something else to do with their life. If they do drive drunk and get arrested, then throw the book at 'em and be on your way. This is a waste of time, effort, and taxpayer money.
This is really pretty scary.. they could move on people who might speed, who might smoke in a public place.
"The program drew support from groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving."
MADD - Nanny state whores cynically maniputlating emotions while pooping on the Constitution since 1980.
This is about one thing,collecting the fine for the offense.
NEXT:
In a program tentatively called "Operation Barn Door",Texas officers will infiltrate public restroom stalls and issue indecent exposure citations to those they suspect might try to walk out unzipped.
Save time and arrest them just as they enter the bar, that way they will have more money to pay the fine with.
After all if they are going in a bar, they might get drunk and then drive.
Wonder if the bartenders got a kickback from the fines...
Actually I believe MADD was wholely created by the Bar Association in order to create business for all their brethern, especially the less talented, but also as an "entry level" law practice for newcomers. The struggling attorney gets a pop for a quick and easy $1,000, the state collects a hefty fine and nobody's the wiser. When it all became so effective that the number of actual drunk drivers decreased below "sustainable levels" for their purposes, they lowered the legal limit (with the help of their lawyer buddies in the legislatures) and then made it a crime just to be drunk, no matter whether you were driving or disorderly or what. Like all too many laws, these things are done to MAKE MONEY. Period.
I'm a founding member of DAMM - Drunks Against Mad Mothers.
This reminds me of a silly commercial from the 70s where a cop walks by a gorgeous sports car and starts to write the owner a ticket for speeding because the car looks like it can go so fast.
Arresting people for drinking in bars? In Texas? Geez... I always thought of Texans as being rugged, independent and freedom-loving. This sure doesn't sound like it.
In the immortal words of Ron White while being arrested for being Drunk In Public....
"I was drunk in a bar, they THREW me in 'public'....Arrest them"
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