WASHINGTON — This holiday season, a special police task force in Montgomery County, Maryland is going after those who get behind the wheel after they have been drinking.
“If you know that you’re going to be drinking, designate a sober driver,” says Montgomery County police Capt. Paul Starks.
The Montgomery County Police Alcohol Holiday Task Force — which is made up of officers from numerous police departments, including the sheriff’s department, Takoma Park police and Gaithersburg City police — is working full-time on DUI enforcement.
The task force, which began Nov. 15, will continue working until Jan. 9, 2016.
Starks says officers will mostly be working evenings. Aside from sobriety checkpoints, plain clothes officers will making sure businesses don’t sell alcohol to minors.
The task for is asking for the public’s assistance, too. Police have asked the public to report underage drinking parties by calling the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000. Starks said people should report impaired drivers by calling 911 when they can do so safely.
Starks says those who chose to drink can always call a taxi or Uber. Sober Ride (800-200-TAXI) will offer free rides nightly Dec. 11 until Jan. 1, 2016.
