Montgomery Co. Alcohol Crackdown: 254 DUI Arrests Made Over Eight Weeks

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Police across Montgomery County charged a total of 254 people with drunk or drugged driving during the eight weeks of the county's alcohol holiday task force, when officers stepped up their efforts to prevent drunk drivers. The task force began on Nov. 16, 2016, and ended on Jan. 7, 2017.

Montgomery County Police say that during the eight-week crackdown period, officers made or issued:

• 249 people for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.

• 5 people for driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs.

• 28 criminal citations to adults for selling alcohol to a minor in a business.

These arrests include only those arrests made by task force officers and do not include arrests made by patrol officers, so the number of total DUI arrests made by county officers during this time period is higher.

Methods to curb drinking included sobriety checkpoints, ticketing the host of underage drinking parties, and checks to ensure businesses don’t sell alcohol to underage buyers.

In December 2015, Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta was killed when he was hit by a repeat drunk driver while working on the alcohol task force. As a result, state law now requires ignition interlocks to all drunken driving offenders in Maryland.

And Alex and Calvin’s Law, as it is known, was enacted after two Thomas Wootton High School graduates died in a crash following an underage party. Adults who host parties where alcohol is served to minors can now face jail time and a $5,000 fine.

Authorities say there are ways can help combat alcohol-related crime and collisions throughout the year.

If you plan on drinking alcohol, include a sober driver in your plans:

• If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.

• When you know you’ll be drinking, leave your keys at home or give them to someone else.

• If you have been drinking, do not drive—even a short distance. Call a taxi, Uber, phone a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.

If you believe you are observing a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs:

• Call 911. If possible, and without putting yourself in danger, obtain the license plate of the vehicle, the direction of travel of the vehicle, and a description of the vehicle (make, model, color).

If you have information on establishments that are selling alcohol to people younger than 21 or bars that are over-serving patrons:

• If it is occurring at the present time, you can call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

• If you believe it is an ongoing issue, you can call Crime Solvers toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or leave a Crime Solvers tip here. You can remain anonymous. Please provide as much information as possible. Tips will be forwarded to the Alcohol Initiatives Section.

• You can also call the Keeping it SAFE: Under Twenty-One Alcohol Prevention Coalition at 301-670-7233 to report an ongoing issue of an establishment selling alcohol to minors. Tips will be forwarded to the Alcohol Initiatives Section.

If you have information on an underage drinking party:

• If it is occurring at the present time, you can call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

• If you have knowledge of a party planned for a future date, you can call the Keeping it SAFE: Under Twenty-One Alcohol Prevention Coalition at 301-670-7233. You can leave a message and remain anonymous. You can also call Crime Solvers toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Provide as much information as possible. Tips will be forwarded to the Alcohol Initiatives Section.

The Montgomery County Police Alcohol Holiday Task Force includes officers from the Alcohol Initiatives Section and patrol officers from the six police districts, as well as officers from the Gaithersburg City Police Department, the Maryland National Capital Park Police Department (Montgomery County Division), Maryland State Police, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Takoma Park Police Department.
»Photo of DUI checkpoint courtesy of Montgomery County Police