MOBILE, Alabama - Police will be stopping traffic throughout the city to inspect vehicle safety features, licenses and registration on Friday, Saturday and Monday of the upcoming Labor Day weekend, according to Ashley Rains, a spokeswoman for the Mobile Police Department.

And according to Mobile Mayor-elect Sandy Stimpson, the checkpoints may become a thing of the past once he takes office on Nov. 5. During the recent campaign against Mayor Sam Jones, Stimpson spoke out against the checkpoints, and before a lunch meeting with Jones on Aug. 29 reiterated that he didn't believe they were a solution to the "public safety problem."



"Unless I'm convinced otherwise by those on the ground, then that's where I stand," Stimpson said, adding that he intends to speak with the assistant chiefs of police about the issue to "get their feedback to determine how to move forward."

Until that happens, the checkpoints will continue to take place in various parts of Mobile, Rains said. Police do not release or confirm the locations of citywide safety checkpoints, citing the ongoing nature of the operation, she said.

Officers may set up at intersections throughout the Port City or conduct "roving checkpoints."

Rains said the checkpoints are aimed at keeping citizens and drivers safe.

Officers will check car safety features, including seat belts and child restraints, to make sure drivers are using them appropriately. They will also check for proof of insurance, driver's licenses and car registration, Rains said.