Chief Marlo Pritchard was pleasantly surprised with the strong success of the new drinking-and-driving program provided by the Weyburn Police Service, after 40 people took them up on the offer for a free taxi ride in its first month.
The chief said these people either left their keys and took a free ride, or arranged for a taxi company to drive their vehicle home for them, in the first month of the two-month pilot program.
“What we’re seeing is an increase of vehicles being left at establishments. We’re just encouraging people not to drink and drive, so maybe we’re seeing a cultural shift here,” said Chief Pritchard.
As the program moved into October, the chief noted a couple of organizations outside of drinking establishments have partnered with the police to use the “free ride” program, namely the “Flavours of Fall” event held by the Weyburn Ag Society on Oct. 7, and the Communithon’s Concert Jam event coming up on Saturday, Oct. 21, along with a private function that was held over the Oct. 14 weekend.
Insp. Stafford noted some 80 vehicles were left after the Flavours of Fall event, with some of them using the “free taxi ride” program from the police.
“We’ve had inquiries from other private functions. We’re encouraging anyone, if they want to partner with us to give us a call and we’ll discuss it with them,” said Chief Pritchard, adding he is greatly encouraged that the community at large is embracing this program, not just drinking establishments.
“We’ll see where it goes from here,” he added, with the hope by the police service the program might be able to be extended beyond October.
