Dennis RomeroCinco de Mayo is Sunday. So, of course, that means Angelenos have three nights to party based on this beer holiday that celebrates a minor Mexican victory against the surrender monkeys of France.
This being quite the Mexican town, what with all the Mexicans and all, the LAPD will be hunting for drunk drivers like Latino men on large white women. Here's your DUI checkpoint and “saturation patrol” cheat sheet for the “holiday” weekend:
–Tonight from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. there will be a checkpoint at Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street in the heart of clubland.
–Tonight from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. there will be a checkpoint at Ventura Boulevard and Gloria Avenue in the Encino area.
–Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. there will be a checkpoint at Sunset Boulevard and Portia Street in Echo Park.
–Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight where will be a checkpoint on South Western Avenue at 39th Street in South Los Angeles.
–Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. there will be a checkpoint at Ventura Boulevard and Columbus Avenue in Sherman Oaks.
–Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. there will be a checkpoint at Manchester Avenue and Broadway in South L.A.
But wait, there's more …
Credit: Timothy Norris for LA Weekly
–Sunday, from noon to 8 p.m., the LAPD will be on patrol, looking for drunks behind the wheel, in its Harbor Division area.
Credit: LAPD
–Sunday from 4 p.m to midnight there will be such a “saturation patrol” in the LAPD's Newton Division area south of downtown.
Credit: LAPD
–Sunday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. a saturation patrol is planned for the department's Mission Division area in the San Fernando Valley.
Credit: LAPD
–Sunday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. there will be such a patrol in the LAPD's 77th Street Division area in South L.A.
Credit: LAPD
Says the LAPD:
As Cinco de Mayo has become a joyous day for many Angelenos to honor and celebrate Mexico's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, it also honors the heritage and pride of Mexicans throughout North America. Unfortunately, it is also a night with unnecessary dangers when community members decide to drink and drive. Party hosts, bars and restaurants this year are encouraged to plan and promote designating sober drivers in advance – before the 'Fiesta' begins.
In other words, ten cuidado.
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
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