Sobriety Checkpoints, DUI Patrols Stepped Up for Holidays

Police across Montgomery County have stepped up their efforts to prevent drunk drivers during the holidays, which will include sobriety checkpoints and checks to ensure businesses don’t sell alcohol to underage buyers.

The Montgomery County Police Alcohol Holiday Task Force began its work Nov. 15 and will continue through Jan. 9. Areas of focus include:

• Enforcement of traffic laws in areas known for a high number of alcohol-related tragedies with the goal of getting drunk or drug-impaired drivers off the road.
• Compliance checks of businesses who hold alcohol licenses by using underage volunteers to attempt to purchase alcohol at establishments (ensuring that shopkeepers are careful not to sell alcohol to minors).
• Surveillance by officers in plain clothes of local businesses who sell alcohol (ensuring that shopkeepers are not selling alcohol to minors and also ensuring that minors are not using false identification or using other means to buy alcohol).
• Responding to calls for underage drinking parties. All attendees are screened for alcohol usage, and those who are under age 21 are issued citations. Every person is then ensured a safe ride home. Parents of juveniles are notified to come and get them. Any parent or other adult who hosts can also be held liable and can be issued a citation.
• Sobriety checkpoints: The location of the checkpoints is based on collision and traffic data focusing on areas that drivers are most at risk for encountering impaired drivers.

The Montgomery County Police Department wants to remind residents that they can assist in combating alcohol-related crime and collisions this holiday season:

If you plan on celebrating with alcohol this holiday season, 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, use public transportation or call SoberRideat 1-800-200-TAXI (The free program is offered nightly from December 11, 2015 to January 1, 2016).

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 minors:

• 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. The tip 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 Alcohol Initiatives Section at 240-773-6610. You can leave a message and remain anonymous. You can also call Crime Solvers toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Please provide as much information as possible.

The task force is comprised of 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.