DWI arrests pile up in Portsmouth

State and local law enforcement agencies conducted sobriety checkpoints in Portsmouth on two consecutive weekends, arresting 17 people in a crackdown on drunk driving. The first checkpoint occurred during Labor Day weekend and the second took place on Friday, Sept. 5.

A checkpoint conducted from 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, to 3 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, resulted in 10 arrests. Charges included not only driving while intoxicated but transporting a controlled drug, prohibition, operating after suspension, possession of a controlled narcotic and possession of drugs in a motor vehicle. The youngest person arrested was 20 and the oldest was 53.

Officers from Portsmouth, Greenland, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department, N.H. State Liquor Enforcement and N.H. State Police Troop A screened a total of 550 vehicles. Also participating were volunteers from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. MADD member Melissa LaRochelle, who lost her mother in a drunk driving accident, shared her story with officers before they conducted the checkpoint.

Police conducted the next checkpoint from 10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5 to 3 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6. Officers screened more than 260 vehicles and arrested seven people for driving while intoxicated. A 24-year-old Hampton man was also charged with possession of drugs.

The Portsmouth Police Department sent out press releases in advance of both weekends, warning motorists that there would be checkpoints but not specifying exact times or locations. Other officers conducted targeted DWI patrols during the checkpoint.

Portsmouth Police Chief Michael Magnant received a national award last month in Nashville, Tenn., for his work combating underage drinking. Magnant’s selection as recipient of the Law Enforcement Partner of the Year award came largely because of his efforts to reduce alcohol-related crimes with sobriety checkpoints, alcohol compliance checks, party patrols and educational programs at schools.

The Portsmouth Police Department warns that there will be DWI patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout 2008 and advised people to make alternative arrangements before drinking and driving. Although the department considered both checkpoints successful, officers hope to one day reduce DWI arrests to zero.

“If you drink and drive, you put yourself and the public at great risk and there’s no turning back time when you’re the one involved in a catastrophic accident caused by an impaired driver,” the department said in a press release.

Portsmouth Peace Treaty turns 103

At exactly 3:47 p.m. on Sept. 5, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard blasted its whistle and church bells around the Seacoast started ringing. The noise marked the 103rd anniversary of the signing of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty, which occurred at the Naval Shipyard in 1905. The treaty ended the Russo-Japanese War, and Shipyard personnel celebrated with a gun salute that was echoed by church bells in neighboring communities.
At least nine buildings participated in the bell ringing late last week, but the treaty commemoration will last throughout the month. A photography exhibit will remain on display at Portsmouth Public Library through Sept. 30.

The exhibit is called “Flags over Portsmouth: Local People in the Spotlight, Portsmouth Peace Treaty, 1905 & 1981.” The photographs were captured during the filming of a mini-series produced by NHK Japan Television. The docudrama about the Portsmouth Peace Treaty was filmed in Portsmouth and other New Hampshire sites in June 1981, and more than 300 area residents appeared as extras.

Among the actors was Gov. Hugh Gallen, who portrayed 1905 Gov. John McLane. Portsmouth restaurateur Sam Jarvis also played a part, as his restaurant The Metro (now Rudi’s) posed as a London pub. Also participating were Nevers’ Second Regiment Band, Rev. Gordon Allen and many schoolchildren. Additional footage was shot at Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle.

The exhibit is in the hallways of the library’s Levenson Community Room and Hilton Garden Inn Room.
Other events commemorating the Portsmouth Peace Treaty include a six-week community theater workshop called “The Peace of Portsmouth,” hosted by Pontine Community Theatre at 959 Islington St. each Tuesday from Sept. 16 to Oct. 28. Portsmouth Peace Treaty Beat Night with Larry Simon and Groove Bacteria will take place at The Press Room on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. Free maps for self-guided walking tours of Peace Treaty locales are available at the Discover Portsmouth Center and the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.org/2008.cfm for more information.