"Sobriety" Checkpoints

According to the NYT, since 2006, police have increased their use of sobriety checkpoints.

At these "sobriety" checks, they also check for licenses. If drivers lack licenses, the cars are impounded. Recovering the car can cost in the range of $2,000 to cover fines and impound fees.

One mindblowing statistic is that checkpoints in Montebello net 60 unlicensed drivers for every drunk driver.

Another is that these checkpoints are far more common in areas with a high Latino population than other areas.

Another thing to consider: the checkpoints are funded by state money, but the fines and fees feed, partially, back into the municipal coffers. Are these checkpoints a money-making/money laundering operation?

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/02/13/us/1247466999096/police-checkpoints-safety-or-profit-.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/14/us/14sfcheck.html