Bar-hopping cops aim to stop drunk driving
LAKEWOOD, Wash. - Some unusual "bar hoppers" joined customers around Lakewood tonight on Friday night as part of an effort to cut down an drunk driving.
Police paid a visit to several hot spots - but they weren't there to "belly up to the bar."
Instead, the officers were shining a spotlight on the role bars play in keeping drunk drivers off the road.
Local, county and state police teamed up to conduct a DUI emphasis patrol in Lakewood and the surrounding area - keeping an eye out for drunk drivers and making the occasional stop at the local pub to educate employees.
And this was no one-night stand. Officers say they will continue to "bar hop" this spring and summer to other areas, including Tacoma and Puyallup. They hope drinkers will do their part to prevent a tragedy by pre-arranging a designated driver or taxi home.
"I think it's pretty smart because everybody does drink and drive, and if they get caught they learn a lesson, and everyone needs to learn a lesson once in a while," says Andrew Ramos of Lakewood.
The officers' bar visits are all a part of the Home Safe bar program which aims to raise awareness about how servers and bartenders can help reduce the number of impaired drivers on Pierce County's roadways.
And bar managers say they couldn't agree more.
"You don't want anyone drinking and driving or falling down and being sloppy, but you don't want to automatically cut everyone off after two drinks - especially when you know they aren't going to be driving, and you want them to have fun and be out," says Lori Ojala, Schooner's bar manager.
Officers estimate they've been able to save more than 20 people in the past 18 months through programs like these. Their goal is zero deaths on Pierce County roadways by 2030.
"It's just one of those things I have to take responsibility," says Charles Overstreet, bar manager at The Ram. "It becomes a liabiltiy, and if you feel you can drink more I wont let you do it at my bar. But if someone chooses to take you on in your state of mind, well, that is their risk - but one that I don't take."
"If you're going to drink, don't drive at all - pass the keys off, have a DD (designated driver), you know - that is my rule," says Ramos.
Police paid a visit to several hot spots - but they weren't there to "belly up to the bar."
Instead, the officers were shining a spotlight on the role bars play in keeping drunk drivers off the road.
Local, county and state police teamed up to conduct a DUI emphasis patrol in Lakewood and the surrounding area - keeping an eye out for drunk drivers and making the occasional stop at the local pub to educate employees.
And this was no one-night stand. Officers say they will continue to "bar hop" this spring and summer to other areas, including Tacoma and Puyallup. They hope drinkers will do their part to prevent a tragedy by pre-arranging a designated driver or taxi home.
"I think it's pretty smart because everybody does drink and drive, and if they get caught they learn a lesson, and everyone needs to learn a lesson once in a while," says Andrew Ramos of Lakewood.
The officers' bar visits are all a part of the Home Safe bar program which aims to raise awareness about how servers and bartenders can help reduce the number of impaired drivers on Pierce County's roadways.
And bar managers say they couldn't agree more.
"You don't want anyone drinking and driving or falling down and being sloppy, but you don't want to automatically cut everyone off after two drinks - especially when you know they aren't going to be driving, and you want them to have fun and be out," says Lori Ojala, Schooner's bar manager.
Officers estimate they've been able to save more than 20 people in the past 18 months through programs like these. Their goal is zero deaths on Pierce County roadways by 2030.
"It's just one of those things I have to take responsibility," says Charles Overstreet, bar manager at The Ram. "It becomes a liabiltiy, and if you feel you can drink more I wont let you do it at my bar. But if someone chooses to take you on in your state of mind, well, that is their risk - but one that I don't take."
"If you're going to drink, don't drive at all - pass the keys off, have a DD (designated driver), you know - that is my rule," says Ramos.
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