Sand Mountain Reporter

Safe Street vehicle impounds nearly tripled from July to August because of an increase in checkpoints by Albertville police.

“Most of the time there are at least eight or 10 checkpoints a week,” said Chief Benny Womack.

In July, police reported 108 Safe Street impounds. In August, the number jumped to 292.

Womack said the ordinance is aimed at unlicensed drivers or drivers with suspended or revoked licenses.

The chief said the majority of Safe Street impounds involve Hispanics, but stressed that police are not targeting any population.

“There’s no racial profiling,” Womack said. “We go all over at different locations.”

The chief said checkpoints will continue indefinitely as time and manpower allows.

“Obviously, we have priorities, which are responding to calls,” Womack said. “We have no deadline on the checkpoints. As long as the ordinance is on the books, we’ll continue to enforce it.”

Womack said removing unlicensed drivers from the streets is a way to decrease traffic accidents.

“A lot of people don’t see it that way, but when you take an unlicensed driver off the street, you’re taking an unsafe and unskilled driver off the street in many cases,” said Womack. “If you got your license suspended or revoked, it’s for a reason.

“Most of the time it’s for impaired driving or having too many tickets or too many accidents. We’re just basically doing our job in a preventive manner.”

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Serving Albertville and the Sand Mountain region

Publisher: Ben Shurett

1603 Progress Drive
Albertville, Alabama 35950

Tel: 256-840-3000 | Email

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