Warwick Police offering free rides this St. Patrick’s day

March 16, 2016 5:40 pm

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

Tents went up outside and picnic benches were placed for seating as Shannon View Inn Irish Pub in Warwick prepares for St.Patrick’s day, where they see their largest crowds of the year.

"Through the course of the day, I’d say a couple of thousand," says bartender, Elizabeth Grey.

Where there are large crowds, though, rowdiness usually follows.

"Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s day, so there is a little bit of the drinking going on," adds Grey.

Restaurants and pubs are not the only ones who stay busy on the holiday–police do as well, which is why Warwick officers came up with the idea to provide free safe rides home to the community.

"For those who have maybe celebrated a little too much, we thought by giving them a safe free ride home. It was an alternative to possibly being arrested for drunk driving, or even worse, getting into an accident and killing someone or themselves," said Lieutenant Michael Gilbert of the Warwick Police.

One of the other reasons police have chosen St. Patrick’s day to offer free rides is because they have noticed drinking occurs earlier in the day.

"In the early morning hours, it starts and it goes pretty much all the way into early morning Friday," says Lt. Gilbert.

Last year Providence Police made two DUI arrests. Rhode Island State Police made four, and the year before, they made five. Last year in Warwick they made three and the year before made two. Lt.Gilbert says their goal is to bring that number down to zero this year.

People can call (401) 468-4200 for a ride anytime between the hours of 6 p.m. and midnight on St. Patrick’s Day.