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On
Thursday, December 19, 2002, at 11:00 a.m., the Santa
Monica Police Department, partnered with The California Office of
Traffic Safety (OTS), will participate in California’s annual Drunk
and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month
campaign with a “COPtails” “Responsible Celebration ”
at the Lobster Restaurant, 1600 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, Ca. The
goal of the 3D month campaign is to prevent alcohol related crashes
during the holidays by reminding motorists about the dangers of
impaired driving during the holiday season.
During
the lunch hour (12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.) uniformed officers will be
present to support the introductory message by Chief of Police James
T. Butts, Jr. The message will incorporate information regarding our
holiday enforcement efforts including saturation patrols, DUI
checkpoints and distribution of educational brochures.
“We have done a very good job of DUI enforcement this year by
making 18% more DUI arrests and lowering total traffic accidents by
3%. Injury related accidents were also decreased by 7.6% and fatality
related accidents were decreased by 75%.
We hope to carry that success through the holidays.” said
Chief Butts. A sponsor from MADD will also provide information regarding
the dangers of holiday drunk driving.
Uniformed
traffic officers will participate in the “COPtail HOUR” in
which officers will serve non-alcoholic drinks to customers who
exhibit support by ordering only non-alcoholic drinks. Officers will
have the opportunity to interact with patrons and remind the public
that a safe and sober holiday is in everyone’s best interest. It’s
anticipated that officers will be at the restaurant for approximately
one hour.
The
Santa Monica Police Department also would like to remind all motors
that DUI checkpoints and Saturation DUI patrols will be conducted
throughout the coming holiday season.
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