Apollo Towing will again offer a free tow and ride home to anyone who drinks to much and has no other alternative. Do not get behind the wheel of your car after drinking, warns the Corpus Christi Police Department, which is increasing traffic patrol during the holiday season.
Police patrols have increased around major shopping centers during the holiday season, while the department is also promoting a safe driving campaign that encourages holiday revelers to find a way home without getting behind the wheel of a car.
An initiative by Apollo Towing of Corpus Christi called Project No Excuse offers one of those alternatives.
“The object here is to avoid an arrest or injury as a net result of bad decision-making to consume and try to drive,” said Michael L. Staff, vice president of Apollo Towing Service. “One simple phone call to Apollo, and you can get a ride home for you and your car free of charge.”
Areas covered include ZIP codes in Corpus Christi, Robstown and Portland, Staff said. He also listed a few rules by which callers must abide for a free, safe ride home:
• the caller must have the keys to the vehicle being towed;
• Apollo will only transport the driver with the vehicle (no room for passengers);
• the vehicle to be towed must be operable and not be wrecked;
• Apollo drivers will not drop off the driver or vehicle at another party, bar or any establishment that serves alcohol;
• Apollo only tows to residences or hotels at which the passenger has a room key.
“One phone call to our 24-hour dispatch center at (361) 853-0003 is all it takes,” Staff said. “We will respond to No Excuse tows in the order they are received, so there may be a slight wait time depending upon call volume.”
Volume could well be high on the days scheduled for free No Excuse towing, which are Dec. 23-27 and Dec. 31-Jan. 3.
Now in its fifth year, the program is run in conjunction with the Corpus Christi Police Department and sponsored by L&F Distributors (Budweiser Beer). More than 160 tows were handled during the holiday season in 2014, Staff said. He expects the number to increase this year as the program becomes better known.
“This program is all about responsible alcohol consumption over the holiday season,” Staff said. “Let there be no excuse for DWI injury or arrest over the holiday season.”
INCREASED POLICE PATROLS
Also during the shopping season, the police department is increasing the presence of officers around crime-targeted areas such as the La Palmera shopping district and Moore Plaza. These areas were chosen based on an analysis of where crime and traffic troubles are most likely to occur.
Called a Data-Driven Approach to Crime and Traffic Safety, the year-long program began in November. Using data analysis, police are able to pinpoint areas, times and days when crime is most likely to occur.
Making officers more visible around parking and shopping lots cuts down on theft. Also, a higher visibility of police along high-traffic areas tends to slow down drivers and encourage them to drive more safely. Where officers are placed will change every two weeks as the statistics change.
The police department offered these safety tips for holiday shoppers:
• park in well-lighted spaces and as close to the store as possible;
• lock car doors and hide packages in the trunk or under seats;
• pay with a check or credit card and do not carry large amounts of cash;
• keep purses close to the body and do not carry them by the straps;
• keep wallets inside coat or front pants pocket;
• teach children to look for a police officer or contact a store security guard if they are lost or separated;
• be aware of suspicious strangers approaching who may be planning to distract you with the intent of taking money and belongings;
• be aware of individuals attempting to sell items in parking lots.
