Harrisburg, PA — On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the Pennsylvania Capitol Police coordinated a multi-agency DUI checkpoint in the 700 block of Seventh Street in Harrisburg. The checkpoint screened both northbound and southbound traffic and was part of a proactive effort to identify and remove impaired drivers from the roadway.
"Impaired driving continues to put lives at risk on our roadways and this coordinated effort reflects our commitment to proactive enforcement and public safety in the Capitol Region,” said Capitol Police Chief Joe Jacob. “By working with our law enforcement partners, we are sending a clear message that driving under the influence will not be tolerated, and we will continue to take steps to keep our communities safe."
The location was selected based on historical crash data and prior officer-initiated DUI arrests, with the goal of reducing impaired driving and crashes in the area.
During the checkpoint:
- 38 individuals were directed from the checkpoint for Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, resulting in 13 DUI arrests
- 4 individuals were arrested for drug-related violations, and 1 vehicle was impounded pending the execution of a narcotics-related search warrant
- 2 individuals were arrested for operating a vehicle without the required ignition interlock system
- 2 warrants were served on wanted individuals
- 50 traffic citations and 10 traffic warnings were issued for various vehicle code violations
In addition to enforcement efforts, officers conducted child passenger safety checks for motorists traveling through the checkpoint. Families with missing, damaged, or improperly installed child safety seats were provided with brand-new car seats at no cost and received guidance to ensure children were properly secured:
- 12 child safety seats were installed
- 6 adjustments were made for families traveling with improperly restrained children
The checkpoint was funded through a Police Traffic Safety Grant administered by the Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Police for Dauphin County. Funding is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Participating law enforcement agencies included: Harrisburg Bureau of Police, Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Police, Lower Swatara Police Department, Penbrook Police Department, Swatara Township Police Department, and Dauphin County Sheriff’s Department.
The Pennsylvania Capitol Police are currently seeking interested applicants who currently hold a valid ACT 120 Certification. Applications are open until August 1, 2026. Learn more about employment requirements, benefits and other career details by visiting the Capitol Police online.
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