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DPS annual caroling spreads safety driving awareness
The Department of Public Safety spread cheer while promoting a safe holiday season with a caroling performance by police officers at the CNMI Superior Court last Friday.
Every December, policemen go around the island on behalf of DPS to talk about safe driving, the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as its designated driver program during their performance of Christmas songs.
“We love singing for the public during this time of the year, but what we want more is to exercise safety among community members. The Department of Public Safety has a program that caters to those who are too intoxicated to drive,” said police Lt. Joe Saures. “The program helps bring people from the bar they are currently at to their home. All you have to do is call and we are more than happy to take care of anyone in the community, as long as the person doesn’t want us to drop him or her at another bar.”
Eunice Angeles, a participant, said, “It was so much fun hanging out with the policemen and practicing with them. Learning the songs was actually a little difficult because we had to learn how to pronounce words properly. …I’m very thankful for them [officers] and their patience for not only teaching everyone the tone of the music, but also the pronunciation of words.”
“I think this event is important for the community because it opens their eyes to the current problems we have such as drinking and driving. These are issues that need to be discussed and I feel like it is taboo so it’s good that these policemen are doing something to spread awareness. The public will know that there are ways to have fun while being responsible for themselves and everyone around them.”
DPS has been conducting the program for about five years now, according to Saures. It will available for anyone in the community who needs a ride home but is too intoxicated to drive. The telephone number for the designated driver program is 483-RIDE.
