GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A new campaign is working towards keeping people from driving when they had too much to drink at bars.
The Brown County Tavern League and the Green Bay Police Department announced the SafePark initiative Friday.
Green Bay Police Captain Kevin Warych says bars will be able to give patrons a card that will give people an option to get home safely and make arrangements for their vehicle.
“Bartenders and owners can hand out these placards to patrons who are in the bar and they can place them on their vehicle.”
He says by not feeling forced to drive their vehicle home, it is another way to keep them intoxicated people off the roads.
“They don’t have to worry about moving their vehicle out of fear of getting a parking ticket for being parked out on the streets between 3 and 5 a.m.”
Currently, more than two dozen drinking establishments are participating. Warych says the campaign of placard issuing calls for an evaluation process as well.
“Are the patrons using this? Is it working? Is it successful?”
There are places where you can park overnight without getting a ticket already.
The SafePark initiative is being funded by a $500 grant awarded by the Brown County Crime Prevention Foundation.
So far this year, the Green Bay Police Department says it has arrested/charged more than 200 people for operating while intoxicated. In 2018, Green Bay officers arrested/charged 588 people for operating while intoxicated.
