Local law enforcement reported a relatively uneventful St. Patrick’s Day weekend for people driving under the influence (DUI).
The Helena Police Department reported officers made six DUI arrests over the weekend.
Captain Curt Stinson said the numbers were only slightly higher than what they see on an average weekend.
Stinson noted most of the HPD reported DUI arrests came from calls relating to other incidents and not on traffic stops for suspicion of a DUI.
The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office made only one DUI arrest over the holiday weekend.
Sheriff Leo Dutton believes credit for the reduced arrests should go to people making smart decisions and tavern owners offering ride options.
“I really think that it’s the tavern owners who are stepping up, putting a concerted effort into getting their customers home safe and that really shows. That has changed our numbers, we only got one and I think it’s been a steady decline in the past five years,” said Dutton.
The Tri-County Licensed Beverage Association (Lewis & Clark, Broadwater, and Jefferson Counties of Montana) has partnered with Uber for the last two years to offer free rides to tavern patrons in the area.
-Reported by John Riley/MTN News
