GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – Deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a Driver’s License Checkpoint in the Green Cove Springs area from 9-11 a.m. Friday.
The Sheriff’s Office announced the checkpoint on Wednesday, warning drivers to expect delays in the area on Friday morning.
News4JAX asked what prompted the checkpoint, if it is related to increased immigration enforcement efforts, or if the Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase in the number of drivers without a valid license.
A spokesperson responded:
It has been quite some time since we have conducted a DL checkpoint. We intend to have them throughout the county and will continue to keep the community informed when they are scheduled. For statistical information, I recommend submitting a records request via our online portal.
News4JAX asked the sheriff’s office again on Thursday what the purpose of the checkpoint is, and they said that it’s to verify that people operating motor vehicles on county roads have a valid driver’s license.
The goal is to verify people operating motor vehicles on County Roads have a valid driver’s license. We want to ensure our roads are safe for everyone and get habitual traffic offenders off the road, reckless drivers off the road, etc. A valid driver’s license is required to operate a motor vehicle. Those that choose to drive without one engage in incredibly unsafe behavior for our community members. These types of checkpoints are not new and have been conducted numerous times for years. If anything illegal comes up during it, whether it’s an outstanding warrant in County, out-of-county, immigration related, or anything else - it is handled as it comes in and appropriately.We are also in the works of conducting more DUI checkpoints.
Deputies said drivers should have their license, current registration, and valid insurance card ready for review when they approach the checkpoint.
“We will also take the opportunity to educate drivers on other traffic laws to include but not limited to safety belts and vehicle equipment,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “This checkpoint will remain scheduled unless weather compromises the safety of the personnel and motorists.”
Residents gave their opinions on the announcement.
“It feels almost like a trap or that they’re trying to get people pulled over,” Aiden Sims said, who lives near Green Cove Springs. “It’s kind of sketchy like no reason, I feel like they should at least give a reason as to why they’re stopping everybody.”
Another resident said he was confused because Green Cove has its own police department.
“My first thought about it was why is the sheriff’s department doing that in Green Cove,” Mike Poteet said. “Green Cove has their own police department, they could’ve went anywhere, why just Green Cove Springs?”
Someone else said they had never heard of such a thing and that it was strange.
The Jacksonville Immigrants’ Rights Alliance sent out a statement condemning the license checkpoints and stating that they create a “dangerous incentive for racial profiling.”
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