Law Enforcement Out in Full Force at Checkpoints

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are teaming up to set up and man checkpoints across the county as part of Operation Stand.

At the Southwest 14th exit off I-44 Saturday, some drivers were ticketed while others were taken away in handcuffs. One couple was arrested after bags of marijuana were found stashed throughout their car. Another man was arrested after being caught driving with a suspended license for the eighth time.

"Tonight it's all about saving lives. That's the bottom line," said Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel.

Nine checkpoints are set up across Oklahoma County. Deputies and state troopers said they are looking to catch those breaking the law and are keeping a close eye out for drunk drivers.

"With the number of people that are being injured or killed by drunk drivers, if we save one life tonight this will be well worth it," Whetsel said.

And while the checkpoints have caused a bit of a delay for some drivers, most said they were happy to see the checkpoint.

"I'm for law abiding people," said a driver passing through the Southwest 14th checkpoint.

Sheriff Whetsel said he hopes the law is something all drivers will abide by this weekend.

"It does send a message, and I hope our citizens that that message that we're out here and we're going to make our streets safer," Whetsel said.

Whetsel said the last time this kind of effort occurred was back in 2007 where 120 people were arrested, 25 of those were drunk drivers.

And while this is Oklahoma law enforcement's largest joint operation to catch people driving illegally, Whetsel said they will continue to have random check points throughout the year.