Police to be out in force over the holidays

Holiday parties across the city are getting underway and the Calgary police service is out with a message; don’t drink and drive.

Constable Jim Lebedeff said they want people to go out and have fun but not to get behind the wheel after a few cocktails.

“Plan ahead, if you’re having a Christmas party there’s hotels, there’s cabs, there’s companies that will pick up your vehicle and drive you home and transit will have some stuff on the go,” Lebedeff said.

He said there is really no excuse to drink and drive and the number of people who chose to drive impaired is declining.

“Last year during the year we laid 2,808 impaired charges comparatively speaking to the end of November this year, we’ve only laid 2,281. Now I say only, that’s still a high number I’d like to see that a lot lower but definitely lower than last year.”

He said Calgarians can expect to see check stops out no matter what time of the day.

“We have our check stop crew who are out there four days out of seven every week of the year, we’re the only police service that does that,” Lebedeff said.

Jeff Garland with Associated Cabs said they will be prepared for an excess amount of calls.

“The best thing is to phone in advanced and make a booking. There’s no guarantee that it’s going to be exactly the time you want it, depends on the volume at that time, but we’ll get as close to that as possible,” Garland said.

He said the new taxi licences issued by the city will help alleviate some of the holiday congestion.