The Lake County Crime Prevention Taskforce, the Lake County Association of Chiefs of Police and the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition will team up to host the 30th Annual Protect & Serve Tavern on Saturday, December 6th from noon – 3:00 p.m. at the Great Lakes Mall, located at 7850 Mentor Avenue in Mentor. This event aims to remind all drivers about the dangers of impaired driving, especially during the holiday season.
Local police chiefs and coalition members will serve non-alcoholic drinks with snacks to mall-shoppers, and due to generous donations from local businesses, this event is free to the public. Local police departments will also invite shoppers to try the “Fatal Vision” goggle activity, which mimics alcohol impairment. Free recipes featuring tasty non-alcoholic beverages created by the Lake County police departments will be available, and Caitlin McCarthy from WOIO 19 will serve as a guest bartender.
To date in 2025, there have been 11 fatal motor vehicles crashes, with four of those involving an impaired driver. In 2024, 73% of all Lake County crashes involved impairment. While this has been an improvement over last year, there is still much work that can be done to keep everyone safe on the road.
With the holiday festivities and extra office parties taking place, it is essential to plan a sober ride home before the events begin. Here are a few simple tips to ensure that everyone has a fun evening and gets home safely:
•Plan a safe way home before festivities begin
•Before drinking, designate a sober driver
•If you are impaired, take a taxi, rideshare, or call a sober friend or family member for a ride home
•If you happen to see an impaired driver on the road, call #667 to reach law enforcement
The Lake County General Health District is the lead agency for the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition with the goal of reducing traffic-related motor vehicle deaths in Lake County by increasing seat belt use, increasing motorcycle safety awareness, and reducing distracted and impaired driving. The Coalition also participates in national campaigns including “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
For more event information, meeting information and volunteer opportunities, contact Nora Larson at (440) 350-2451.
