A spike in DUI arrests throughout the campus area in 2004 is the result of increased funds and long-term efforts made by a statewide drinking and driving task force, police said.

The University of Arizona Police Department Annual Campus Safety and Security Report released earlier this month stated that 120 driving under the influence arrests were made in 2004, compared to 37 arrests in 2003.

University of Arizona Police Department spokesman Sgt. Eugene Mejia said he credits the increase to the creation of a statewide DUI Task Force.

The task force is a joint effort between Arizona law enforcement agencies that combine forces when patrolling on major holidays and "party" weekends.

"For those who choose to drive under the influence, they need to understand we have a task force ready to take you off the road," Mejia said.

The Southern Arizona DUI task force, which is part of the statewide task force, was created in 1991 following the death of two police officers who were killed by a drunk driver while investigating a DUI fatality, said Sgt. Ed Slechta, who helped to create the task force.

The task force's main concerns are educating drivers and young people of the risks of drunk driving and teaching them that if you drive drunk, you will get caught, Slechta said.

The task force patrols on 14 major holidays throughout the year and increases patrols in November and December, Slechta said.

While on patrol, the officers concentrate their efforts on a few problems areas.

"Fourth Avenue has been a real hot bed during school time," Slechta said.

Mejia said he thinks the long-term presence of the task force has made a difference in the number of arrests because they have more officers focused on one initiative.

"People think we could be doing something better with our resources," Mejia said. "But for us, doing something better is paying attention to alcohol violations."

And those who are arrested for driving under the influence can face harsh penalties because the consequences of a DUI do not always stop with an initial arrest and often include additional penalties, Mejia said.

Bill Dickinson, misdemeanor supervisor of the County Attorney Office, said a first-time DUI charge of someone who has a blood-alcohol content of .08 costs at least $500 and a night in jail.

An extreme DUI, which is a BAC level of .10 or greater, costs at least $1,000 and up to 10 days in jail, Dickinson said.

"If you choose to fight the charge in court, it's going to be at least $5,000 to $10,000 (in court fees)," Mejia said. "And after you pay that money there's no guarantee that you'll be found not guilty."

Minors under the age of 21 need to realize that whenever they consume alcohol they are violating state criminal law, and when they are driving, they are considered under the influence if any amount of alcohol is present in their bodies, Dickinson said.

If a minor is arrested for driving under the influence, he or she could also have the his or her license suspended until age 21, Dickinson said.

The best way to not get a DUI is to be responsible, Mejia said.

"Being responsible means not getting drunk to the point where you don't know what's going on around you," Mejia said. "You have the power of creating a safe environment for yourself."

Mejia said he always suggests having a sober person at the party who can watch everyone and make sure they all leave together.

Although UAPD patrols in the campus area, including North Campbell Avenue, East Sixth Street and North Euclid Avenue, not all of the DUI arrests involved UA students, Mejia said.

"We are surrounded by major roadways that are frequented by DUIs," Mejia said.