Fox Lake cops offer drunk drivers a lift

Fox Lake residents who have one too many glasses of champagne to ring in 2011 will have a safer option to get home — a police escort.

Village police will again team up with two towing companies in town to offer free rides home in an effort to reduce drunken driving on Friday night and Saturday morning.

“I think it's a great program, it's a step above just having officers out checking for DUIs,” said Police Chief Mike Behan, though he added police also will be out looking for unsafe driving.

Call the Fox Lake police department at (847) 587-3100 between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. on New Year's Eve from a bar or party in the area, and you'll get a ride home, no strings attached.

The free rides go to people who live in Fox Lake and within 5 miles surrounding the village. If someone needs to go farther away, Behan said, police will help call a cab to get them home safely.

Behan started the program a few years ago after having to tell a family their father had died in a drunken driving-related accident, a feeling he didn't want his officers to experience.

Although Behan said the program is unique to Fox Lake, he said he wished other towns would start something similar to keep residents safe during the holidays.

Behan will be driving people home New Year's Eve along with at least four officers and some civilians who have volunteered their time, unpaid.

Volunteers from Fox Lake Towing and Recovery and Terry's Towing in Fox Lake will ride with police and drive home cars for residents who participate in the program.

“It's a great program,” said Shawn Caragher, owner of Fox Lake Towing and Recovery. “It sure beats getting pulled over.”

Behan referred to New Year's Eve as “amateur night” when people who don't normally drink, go out and let loose.

“If we can stop one person from having an accident or one officer from having to tell a family, it's worth it,” he said. “I just want it to be safe.”

Though Behan said the first year was the most popular — with nearly 60 people asking for rides home — there were more than 20 calls last year. A similar number is expected this year.

“It's a shame more people don't use it,” Caragher said. “Maybe they don't know about it, maybe they think they'll get in trouble, but it's not that way.”

Besides keeping people safe, Behan said the night is a fun experience for the officers, and for people to see the police in a new way.

“It's a blast. We have a great time with the people; they see us in a different light and they enjoy our company,” Behan said.

Though he hasn't seen anyone throwing up in the back of the squad car, Caragher said it's usually an entertaining way to spend New Year's Eve.

“I'd rather take someone home and keep them out of trouble than see them get hurt,” he said. “It's just about getting everyone home safe and in one piece.”