KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
For the third year in a row the New Year’s holiday resulted in no drunk driving or DUI arrests in Kodiak, according to the Kodiak Police Department. The Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, or CHARR, once again provided free cab rides on New Year’s Eve. KMXT’s Erik Wander has more.
Carmen Lunde is the director of CHARR.
— (DUI 1 12 sec "What we do is provide … the cab will take them home.")
Lunde said the vouchers were provided by local establishments, such as bars and hotels. She said the program has a three-year history of success thus far.
— (DUI 2 24 sec "No DUI’s … they’re taking these cabs.")
Lieutenant Ray Ellis, Deputy Police Chief with the Kodiak Police Department, attributes the success not only to CHARR, but to increased police presence in the downtown area and public safety campaigns.
— (DUI 3 55 sec "Our New Year’s was rather uneventful … it pays those positive benefits.")
Ellis said there may have been fewer visitors to the downtown area this year due to cold weather. But he urges people to continue to exercise caution when it comes to drinking and driving throughout the new year. I’m Erik Wander.
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