The 22nd Annual Protect & Serve Tavern will take place Saturday, December 10th from noon. – 4 p.m. at Great Lakes Mall, 7850 Mentor Avenue in Mentor, Ohio. Hosted by the Lake County Crime Prevention Taskforce, the Lake County Chiefs of Police Association and the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition, this event will remind everyone to drive sober this holiday season.
Local Police Chiefs and Judges will act as bartenders, serving non-alcoholic drinks and snacks to mall shoppers. Special guest bartenders include Ohio House Representative John Rogers and News 5 Cleveland’s Danita Harris and Mark Johnson. Due to many generous donations received from local businesses, this event is free to the public. Local Police Departments will invite shoppers to try the “Fatal Vision” goggle demonstration which mimics alcohol impairment. Free recipes featuring tasty non-alcoholic beverages created by Lake County Police Departments will also be available.
“So far in 2016, there have been 9 fatal motor vehicle crashes in Lake County, with four of those involving alcohol or drugs. This event is one way we work with our partners to remind the public to celebrate safely this holiday season,” said Christine Margalis, Coordinator of the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition and Lake County General Health District Health Educator.
Sacrificing your life and the life of others by driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle after a few drinks can result in tragedy for you and your loved one. Even if you are lucky enough not to hurt anyone, having your driving privileges taken from you will certainly put a damper on your holiday season. Drunk driving offenders receive plenty of unwanted gifts, including attorney fees, court costs, car repairs, lost time at work and higher insurance rates.
Here are a few simple tips to insure everyone has a fun evening and gets home safe:
- Plan a safe way home before festivities begin;
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
- If you’re impaired, take a taxi or call a sober friend or family member for a ride home;
- If you happen to see an impaired driver on the road, call #677 to reach law enforcement;
- If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them find arrangements to get where they are going safely.
Let’s make sure everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!