Warwick, RI – Warwick Police report their annual ‘Safe Rides’ program was a success, providing six rides home to people within city limits St. Patrick’s Day, and records show three DUI arrests for the holiday.
Throughout the week leading up to St. Patrick’s Day Tuesday, Warwick Police announced they’d provide safe rides home for those indulging past the point of safe driving during the holiday.
Residents were urged to call a hotline for a ride anytime between noon and midnight on St. Patrick’s Day. Citizen volunteers, including Warwick Citizens Police Academy Alumni, were dispatched to establishments in the City to provide callers a free ride home.
The effort, police said, was intended to prevent drunk driving arrests, crashes, and deaths. The program was started by Community Police Sgt John Kelly, who worked closely with members of the Warwick Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association to make the program possible.
Six people took advantage of the Safe Rides hotline, according to Lt. Michael Gilbert.
“Although the numbers were lower than we had hoped, even one person who gets home safely and doesn’t get behind the wheel after drinking too much is a success,” Gilbert said.
But three drivers were arrested and charged with DUI despite the best efforts of the creator and volunteers for the program.
At 9:33 p.m. Tuesday, police arrested Corey Swanton, 26, of 75 Sweeney Road, Rehoboth, MA, charging him with DUI and citing him for refusing to submit to a chemical blood test.
The arrest was the result of a traffic stop in the area of 1535 Post Road.
At 1 a.m. Wednesday, police arrested Branden Gomes, 23, of 207 Shamrock Drive, at the Extended Stay on Metro Center Blvd., Warwick, charging him with DUI.
At 2:20 a.m. Wednesday, police arrested George A. Garcia, 48, of 209 Hyde St., Cranston, charging him with two counts of possession of controlled substances, DUI, blood alcohol unknown, refusing to submit to a chemical blood test, operating without evidence of insurance, and stopping on travelled portion of the highway.
The arrest was the result of a call to the area of 1800 Post Road at the 777 Airport Road to check on the driver’s condition.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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