170 Arrests Made By Holiday DUI Patrols In Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — More than 170 drunk-driving arrests were made by police across Montgomery County in the first five weeks of its annual holiday task force. Efforts to prevent drunk drivers during the 2017 holiday season include sobriety checkpoints, ticketing the hosts of underage drinking parties, and checks to ensure businesses don't sell alcohol to underage buyers.

The Montgomery County Police Alcohol Holiday Task Force began its work Nov. 15 with a sobriety checkpoint and will continue through Jan. 7. In the first six weeks of the task force, 179 drivers were arrested for DUI. Other results include:

Week 1: November 16-18:

• 19 – Arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI)
• 2 – Civil alcohol citations issued to adults for possession of alcohol under the age of 21

Week 2: November 21-22 and November 24-25:

• 43 – Arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI)
• 4 – Civil alcohol citations issued to adults for possession of alcohol under the age of 21
• 3 – Criminal arrests. Task force officers arrested a man after he was stopped while driving a vehicle that had been previously reported stolen during a residential burglary in the Gaithersburg area.

Week 3: November 29 to December 2:

• 24 – Arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI)

Week 4: December 6 to December 9:

• 26 – Arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI)

Week 5: December 13 to December 16:

• 38 – Arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI)

Week 6: December 20 to December 23:

• 29 – Arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI)

In 2015, Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta was killed when he was hit by a repeat drunk driver while working on the alcohol task force. As a result, state law now requires ignition interlocks to all drunken driving offenders in Maryland.

And Alex and Calvin's Law, as it is known, was enacted after two Thomas Wootton High School graduates died in a crash following an underage party in June 2015. Adults who host parties where alcohol is served to minors can now face jail time and a $5,000 fine.
Areas of focus include:

• Enforcement of traffic laws in areas known for a high number of alcohol-related tragedies with the goal of getting drunk or drug-impaired drivers off the road.

• Compliance checks of businesses that hold alcohol licenses by using underage volunteers to attempt to purchase alcohol at establishments (ensuring that shopkeepers are careful not to sell alcohol to minors).

• Responding to calls for underage drinking parties. All attendees are screened for alcohol usage, and those who are under age 21 are issued citations. Every person is then ensured a safe ride home. Parents of juveniles are notified to come and get them. Any parent or other adult who hosts can be held liable and can be issued a citation. An adult can be held criminally liable if he/she provides alcohol to an individual under 21 years and he/she knew or reasonably should have known the individual would operate a motor vehicle and did operate the vehicle under the influence of alcohol and caused serious injury or death (Alex and Calvin's Law).

• Sobriety checkpoints: The location of the checkpoints is based on collision and traffic data focusing on areas that drivers are most at risk for encountering impaired drivers.

• Responding to calls for service regarding intoxicated persons.

Residents can help police combat alcohol-related crime and collisions this holiday season:

If you plan on drinking alcohol, include a sober driver in your plans:

• If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.

• When you know you'll be drinking, leave your keys at home or give them to someone else.

• If you have been drinking, do not drive—even a short distance. Call a taxi, Uber, phone a sober friend or family member, use public transportation or call Washington Regional Alcohol Program's SoberRide at 1-800-200-TAXI ( information regarding specific dates of this year's program has yet to be announced).

If you believe you are observing a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs:

• Call 911. If possible, and without putting yourself in danger, obtain the license plate of the vehicle, the direction of travel of the vehicle, and a description of the vehicle (make, model, color).

If you have information on establishments that are selling alcohol to people younger than 21 or bars that are over-serving patrons:

• If it is occurring at the present time, you can call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

• If you believe it is an ongoing issue, you can call Crime Solvers toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or leave a Crime Solvers tip here. You can remain anonymous. Please provide as much information as possible. Tips will be forwarded to the Alcohol Initiatives Section.

• You can also call the Keeping it SAFE: Under Twenty-One Alcohol Prevention Coalition at 301-670-7233 to report an ongoing issue of an establishment selling alcohol to minors. Tips will be forwarded to the Alcohol Initiatives Section.

If you have information on an underage drinking party:

• If it is occurring at the present time, you can call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

• If you have knowledge of a party planned for a future date, you can call the Keeping it SAFE: Under Twenty-One Alcohol Prevention Coalition at 301-670-7233. You can leave a message and remain anonymous. You can also call Crime Solvers toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Provide as much information as possible. Tips will be forwarded to the Alcohol Initiatives Section.

The Montgomery County Police Alcohol Holiday Task Force includes officers from the Alcohol Initiatives Section and patrol officers from the six police districts, as well as officers from 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 Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control will also assist with compliance checks of businesses who hold alcohol licenses.

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