WASHINGTON — Montgomery County police launched their “Holiday Alcohol Task Force” on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The officers on this special police detail are devoting their full-time attention to cracking down on drunken driving during the entire holiday season. The task force runs through Jan. 7.
Aside from sobriety checkpoints and responding to calls for underage drinking parties, officers will crack down on businesses that sell alcohol to minors, police said in a news release. Police will use underage volunteers to try to buy alcohol from businesses.
Montgomery County police also want parents and adults to know that, due to Alex and Calvin’s Law, they can be held criminally liable if they give alcohol to a minor who then drives under the influence and causes serious injury to themselves or others. Alex and Calvin’s Law was named for Wootton High School graduates Alex Murk and Calvin Li, passengers who died in a June 2015 crash after attending a party where underage drinking had been allowed.
The task force is made up of officers from the Montgomery County Police Department, 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.
The police officers on the task force are also honoring their fallen colleague, Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta. Leotta had been working on the task force last year when he was killed by a drunken driver. Noah’s Law was passed in his honor and took effect Oct. 1. The law requires the use of an ignition interlock device for those convicted of drunken driving.
The Montgomery County Police Department reminded people to have a sober ride lined up ahead of time if they plan to drink during the holiday season. Either designate a sober driver, or call a taxi or Uber. Sober Ride (800-200-TAXI) will also offer free nightly rides beginning Dec. 16 through Jan. 1.
If you see an impaired driver on the road, police said to call 911 with the vehicle’s license plate number, the direction the vehicle is traveling and the make and model of the vehicle.
If you see a minor buying or being served alcohol, call the nonemergency police number at 301-279-8000, police said. Tips about underage drinking parties currently in progress also can be given on this line.
If you have information about an underage drinking party being planned for the future, police said to call 301-670-7233 and leave a message, or call Crime Solvers toll-free at 866-411-TIPS (8477).
