Designated Driver program successes covered in Southern Maryland’s beloved publication, The Calvert Recorder
Despite more than 20 arrests for each disorderly conduct and DUI, officials say the annual barrage of people gathering at Solomons Island for the opening of the Tiki Bar went well. Twenty-six people were arrested over the weekend in Solomons, said Calvert County Sheriff’s Office’s Lt. Col. Thomas Hejl. Mostly it was “people drinking too much and getting rowdy,” he said. Some were not following directions and were arrested as a result, he added. …
The estimated number of patrons exceeded 20,000 in the two day period.
For the size of the crowd “comparatively speaking it was no different than any other weekend,” said Hejl, the assistant sheriff. Only about 1 percent of the crowd caused a problem, he added.
Tiki Bar owner Terry Clarke echoed the same, saying the weekend went smoothly and it was a good crowd.
“Friday was definitely the busiest day. I think it went really well,” Clarke said.
In a press release, Sheriff Mike Evans and state police Prince Frederick Barrack Commander Randy Stephens thanked all of the agencies that assisted with the event. Evans stated in the re release that although there was a large crowd, only minimal arrests were made. Most of the arrests were patrons who were disorderly and not complying with the officers on scene. …
This past weekend, no accidents were reported and the sheriff’s office and state police arrested 21 people total for DUI.
Hejl said that the Designated Driver program helped keep the DUIs low, adding that the number probably would have been double without it.
David Parker, general sales manager for Bob Hall beer distributor, said 369 people signed up for the Designated Driver program and gave 1,377 people a safe ride.
“It’s a record compared to previous years,” he said.
A tipsy taxi also provided free cab rides, Parker said. And a cab provided by the Tiki Bar gave 43 people a ride home, Clarke said.
Winners of the Designated Driver program’s drawing were chosen Monday at 10 a.m. at the sheriff’s office. Krystle Shifflett won the grand prize of a cruise for two to the Bahamas. And St. Leonard resident April Lyons was drawn as the winner of four tickets to Bush Gardens in Williamsburg, Va. Lyons, a teacher at Appeal Elementary in Lusby, said she was the designated driver Saturday night for 10 people. “I actually did two trips. I’m very excited that it paid off,” said Lyons, who is expecting her first child in October.
The program was one of the most successful programs for an event this size, Parker said. …”
We encourage our patrons to read the full column in the April 22nd edition of The Calvert Recorder.
Article Abstracts from News Sources
