How much longer is the DUI taskforce pressure on downtown going to last? I have several friends that won't venture near the area out of fear of getting arrested.

The city is talking about revitalizing downtown and trying to enourage young people and potential BRAC folks into moving here. When they see all the DUI taskforce cars downtown every weekend it tends to make them pause.

Is the city just paying lip-service to downtown buisnesses, or do they really want a lively scene in downtown? With all the police you can't have both. The police provide protection and security, but there comes a point where it is just plain harassing, and that point has long been reached.

I wouldn't say it harrassment by them just being around downtown, they are DUI taskforce and thats where a majority of the DUI originate from...

Why don't your friends just have a designated driver or get taxis home rather than drive intoxicated feel harrased by the cops that are there just doing there jobs to keep drunks off the streets...

That's a naive assessment mokycat.

Do a study on how many DUI arrests there are by HSV city cops and how many actual convictions there are. You'll see that the HSV city cops are not doing their jobs but instead are harassing downtown customers. They go above and beyond the call of duty to pull over anyone downtown late at night and run them through sobriety tests whether they've had no drinks, one drink, or 5. Slightest misstep and you're going to jail.

Another fact is that HSV is the DUI capital of Alabama despite having less people than other cities in HSV. Again, its due to over-zealous targeting of downtown customers and a bias towards the downtown nightlife in general. Its an easy arrest to make and a prime spot to make one. Whether or not the person is really guilty enough to be found guilty in a court of law really doesn't matter to them.

I agree! The cops in Huntsville are bad about pulling you over late night.They are trying to pay for that MASSIVE jail they built.

I agree! The cops in Huntsville are bad about pulling you over late night.They are trying to pay for that MASSIVE jail they built.

The concern over downtown police pressure is certainly a valid one and I can see why many would avoid the area - especially after a certain hour on the week-end - to minimize the risk of being cited for DUI. I've been stopped once when I wasn't driving and the driver of the car I was in blew a border-line reading, so I was asked to drive after mine came back fine. The key, as has been stated by others on here, is to have at least one driver that can pass a breathilizer test or get a cab. There are, however, other ways out of downtown that will help you avoid the common check-points if you are concerned or just don't want the hassle.