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COLUMBIA, MO. -- It’s a problem that frustrates police, prosecutors and especially victims.

Repeat DWI offenders caught driving drunk again.

Last month, police arrested Joe Gipson of Jefferson City for his fifth DWI in 10 years after he stole his grandfather's truck and drove into someone's yard. Also in January, Boone County deputies arrested Elbert Allen for drunk driving. He had 10 prior convictions for DWI and a dozen for driving without a license.

The next day Boone County deputies arrested Leo Robinson for DWI. He has seven prior DWI convictions and 14 for driving with a revoked license. It's a scene Mid-Missouri police said is happening too often and that the current system is not stopping repeat offenders.

“It’s out of our hands, so to speak," Columbia police officer Jessie Haden said. "We do a really good report. We come and testify, if necessary, if something actually goes to trial or to a hearing. At that point, our involvement is pretty much done.”

Missouri's top judge stunned lawmakers last week when he said the current system of revoking licenses is not enough.

“All the ten-year revocation guarantee is that the offender is driving without a license, without insurance, and probably drunk,” Supreme Court Chief Justice William Ray Price said.

Price said getting tough hasn't worked and that it's time to get smart on crime. Boone County assistant prosecutor Brent Nelson agrees and said one consolidated data base would help crack down on repeat offenders.

“There is not a consolidated reporting system that prosecutors all over the State of Missouri and even outside of the state of Missouri can go to, to understand when an offender is arrested and how many prior times that this has occurred,”  Nelson said.

Gov. Jay Nixon is pushing lawmakers to approve an improved tracking system for the Missouri Highway Patrol this year. Members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD, said a state law that forces repeat offenders to use interlock devices is helping fix a broken system and the technology is getting better.

“We could have technology on board in which that sweat gland from that operator and that steering wheel from that particular vehicle could preclude from actually starting that vehicle,” MADD spokesman Bud Balke said.

Today’s ignition interlock technology uses a breathalyzer. Missouri has seven providers of the product and more Missourians are using them everyday.

“It’s mandated by the state where it makes it difficult for them to just jump in and drive," Interlock installer Eric Pyle said. "You can’t drink anything without your car not being able to start. I think they are working pretty well.”

“A third of all of the folks who are arrested for DWI in Missouri," Balse said. "Of approximately the 35-37,000 a year now, a third of them are repeat offenders. That’s a scary number."

Some authorities said mandatory substance abuse treatment is the answer, instead of temporarily locking up repeat offenders just so they can get out and break the law all over again.

If you have you been affected by drunk driving or a repeat offender, please leave your comments in the section below.