In an effort to combat impaired driving this holiday season, Lake County is hosting the 29th Annual Protect & Serve Tavern event. On Saturday, December 14, from noon to 3 p.m., the Lake County Crime Prevention Taskforce in alliance with the Lake County Association of Chiefs of Police and the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition will stake out the Great Lakes Mall at 7850 Mentor Avenue in Mentor, as reported by the City of Mentor.
The event, sponsored in collaboration with the United States Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is doubling as a campaign to promote sober driving and an opportunity, to enjoy holiday "mocktails" over alcoholic beverages. Mall-goers will be served up non-alcoholic drinks alongside snacks, inching toward the end, of a year marked by sober reflection over last season's driving fatalities. In a generosity of spirit, local businesses have footed the bill to ensure the event remains free for all attendees.
Part of the campaign's activities includes handing out recipes for tasty non-alcoholic beverages crafted by Lake County police departments. Attendees will also experience the "Fatal Vision" goggle activity facilitated by local police, simulating the effects of alcohol impairment. Special guest Caitlin McCarthy of WOIO is slated to make an appearance as a guest bartender, bringing a touch of celebrity to the event's proceedings.
The Protect and Serve Tavern isn't just about ringing in the holiday cheer; it's a reminder of the grave consequences that drunk driving can yield. With the details, of one fatal crash last holiday season and three OVI-Related among nine total fatal crashes since, it's a sobering call to action for the community. The message is clear: plan for a sober ride home before festivities begin, and if you see an impaired driver on the road, you are to call #667 to alert law enforcement.
The overall mission of the Protect and Serve Tavern is to educate the public on the importance of sober driving throughout the entire year, aiming toward the ultimate goal of reducing the number of fatal crashes in Lake County to zero. The event stands as a poignant reminder to consider safer, alcohol-free alternatives before getting behind the wheel this holiday season, and every day thereafter.
