| Updated: 10/30/2009 10:41 pm |
Published: 10/30/2009 9:54 pm |
With Halloween just a day away the parties are already beginning and for some that means drinking. But police want party goers to remember drinking and driving don't mix. Officers are stepping up enforcement.
Halloween isn't just for kids anymore. Adults are also dressing up and taking to the streets headed to social events and parties. It’s why officers say safety needs to be at the forefront, especially since many children are going door to door to trick or treat.
With one more night to go, some people are still looking for that last minute Halloween costume.
In the midst of all the fun are fears. "Here in Arkansas we average 5 people dead every week and or injured as a result of someone choosing to drink and drive,” says Teresa Belew with Mothers against Drunk Driving. Belew rode along with police in the past on Halloween nights.
"There were some people that were pretty comical in their outfits and trying to walk a line...The most disturbing thing we see at sobriety check points are people who are choosing to drink or drive with their own children in the vehicle,” she said.
It's an event Belew doesn't want to re-live.
"We will definitely go into extra patrols the whole route," Maumelle Police Chief Sam Williams says.
His department is gearing up for the big night to lock up anyone who disobeys the law. "When kids are running up and down the street not paying attention, you've got to pay more attention. You can't do that with alcohol in your system," Williams says.
He's not playing bad guy. Williams wants to help. "If you find yourself off somewhere and have been drinking in our town here and no way to go home, call me, call the department. We will come get you. We'll do anything to keep you from getting behind the wheel and drinking and driving on Halloween night," he added.
"You took so much time to get a costume and decorate it for Halloween, why didn't you make a plan to have a designated driver?" Belew offers for thought.
She believes it to be comparable to child abuse when a driver chooses to drink with a child in the car or drink without regard to other children. Law enforcement say if you're not looking out, they will be looking for you.
