Police say high alcohol level is a warning flag

Reports that a school bus driver had a blood-alcohol content of .23 percent prompted local police Thursday to warn that such high levels can be a red flag for bigger issues.

Without commenting on the specifics of the Mount Prospect case, Naperville Police Internal Affairs Sgt. Gregg Bell said incidents like this raise concerns over whether they represent a one-time mistake or a chronic problem.

"We've all heard the term 'functioning alcoholic,'" he said. "That's a person who drinks more than others, but has an increased tolerance level and is able to perform a lot of functions although legally drunk."

Earlier in his career, Bell became a certified Breathalyzer operator. As part of his training, officers drank alcohol in a controlled environment to experience the different levels of inebriation. At the .23 percent blood-alcohol content level, fine motor skills and reaction time are diminished as well as one's ability to speak clearly.

"To be at .230 - that person is highly inebriated and can be a hazard," he said. "I'd be afraid to put my kids on that bus."

Lombard Deputy Police Chief Dane Cuny, who also is board president of Salt Creek School District 48, also did not address the particulars of the Mount Prospect case, but concurred with Bell's broad assessment.

"Generally, a person that is functioning at above .20 is a chronic alcoholic. You cannot go out drinking for the first time, reach .230 and be conscious," he noted.

Meanwhile, Sgt. Mike Porzycki, the Wheeling Police Department's traffic unit supervisor, said one option for the school district could have been to contact police in the first place since they have expertise in detecting DUIs.

Ramirez is a civilian, he said, "So you wouldn't expect him to take physical action to prevent (her) from driving, but if he had a complaint, he could have called the police. We're trained to make observations in that area."

Wheeling has several police liaison officers working out of local schools who can jump in when situations arise, Porzycki noted.