Longview Police STEP Up Holiday Patrol

LONGVIEW — Longview Police say they encourage everyone to have a safe, happy, and festive Holiday season. Unfortunately, they point out, sometimes that festivity can also mean unexpected tragedy. This holiday season the Longview Police Department encourages everyone to choose a designated driver or stay sober. Drinking and driving is an avoidable crime that affects many innocent people’s lives every day, according to an LPD news release. Longview Police say they’ll be out in force over the next few weeks working to make streets safer for the citizens and visitors to Longview. Officers will be keeping an eye out by working under the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) program to find those drivers who chose to drink and then get behind the wheel of a car. Police say there will be zero tolerance for those who choose to drink and drive.

TxDOT also has a program this holiday season for those who choose to have one for the road. TxDOT’s Holiday P.A.S.S. (Person Appointed to Stay Sober) campaign encourages Texans to give the gift of a sober ride and make it easier for sober drivers to enjoy the festivities without drinking alcohol. They recommend serving non-alcoholic beverage choices at their holiday parties. “After all,” police say, “the holidays are all about making memories that last. Don’t let that holiday party be your last memory.”