New trooper team stalks drunk drivers

MAT-SU -- Drinking and driving has just become an even riskier pastime in the Mat-Su Borough.

That's because a four-member DUI team started operating Nov. 15 out of the Alaska State Troopers' Palmer office. The special unit consisting of a sergeant and three troopers didn't take long announcing its presence, arresting nine people for driving under the influence during the first four shifts.

"This DUI team reflects the Alaska State Troopers' continuing commitment to getting drunk drivers off the road," said Capt. Dennis Casanovas, the Palmer detachment commander. "Of course, all of our troopers will continue to look for impaired drivers, but this team will help keep the coverage where it's needed most."

Team members will patrol during hours when troopers expect to encounter the most intoxicated drivers on the road, Casanovas said.

"The hours of day and days of week the team will be operational was selected with productivity in mind," he said.

Casanovas added that the team will likely spend most of its time patrolling the Mat-Su simply because it is based here. However, members will be available to other locations in Alaska to help out during events such as summer festivals and times when the number of intoxicated drivers may be higher than normal. Casanovas already has received requests from other trooper jurisdictions to borrow team members.

The new program is funded through a $1.5 million, three-year grant. The Federal Highway Safety money is administered through the Alaska Highway Safety office.

"Usually with these grants they love to give us money for overtime patrols," trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson said.

However, asking troopers to work a full schedule and then go on overtime duty has a built-in downside.

"We were wearing them out," Wilkinson said.

So troopers suggested using the money for paid positions, and the grant administrators liked the idea. The funding covers troopers' salaries and some other expenses. All four members of the team volunteered for the special duty.

They drive sleek Ford Crown Victorias with special suspensions and engines. The cars feature a striking logo with the words, "Alaska State Trooper DUI Enforcement Team." The vehicles, which are painted black, will make their nighttime rounds as the trooper equivalent of a stealth bomber.

Wilkinson joked that the black color has another benefit, too.

"It reeks of attitude," he said.