Annual Protect & Serve Tavern at Great Lakes Mall

The 27th Annual Protect & Serve Tavern will take place Saturday, December 10, 2022 from Noon to 3:00 PM at the Great Lakes Mall as local police officers and judges hand out non-alcoholic drinks and snacks to shoppers.

The event is held to remind folks to drive sober this holiday season and encourage those 21+ to consider a fun “mocktail” drink instead of alcohol.

Shoppers will also have the opportunity to participate in the “Fatal Vision” goggle demonstration, which mimics alcohol impairment to raise awareness about the dangerous results of drunk driving. Free recipes featuring tasty non-alcoholic beverages created by the Lake County police departments will be available, and there will be a raffle opportunity for two “mocktail” baskets with all the fixings to make your own non-alcoholic beverages.

With the holiday festivities and extra office parties taking place, it is essential to plan a sober ride home before the events begin. Here are a few simple tips to ensure that everyone has a fun evening and gets home safely:

  • Plan a safe way home before festivities begin
  • Before drinking, designate a sober driver
  • If you are impaired, take a taxi, rideshare, or call a sober friend or family member for a ride home
  • If you happen to see an impaired driver on the road, call #667 to reach law enforcement

The Protect & Serve Tavern is presented by the Lake County Crime Prevention Taskforce, the Lake County Association of Chiefs of Police, the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition, the United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Great Lakes Mall.

The Great Lakes Mall is located at 7850 Mentor Avenue in Mentor.