Drive sober or get pulled over.
With celebration on the minds of many New Year’s Eve, island police will be out in force — participating in the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
The agencies regularly partner to crack down on impaired driving over holiday periods, including Dec. 18-Jan. 3.
Island law enforcement officers say they will arrest offenders.
“They’re going to jail,” said Manatee County Sheriff Sgt. Paul Davis, who heads the Anna Maria substation. MCSO will run regular patrols New Year’s Eve.
“The biggest thing here on the island is drinking,” he said.
Davis recommended people designate a non-drinking driver if they plan to drink alcohol, use the trolley or call a taxi or the Monkey Bus.
If people “don’t make the right choices,” Davis said the MCSO “will make them for you” and “drive you to jail.”
“From the DUI to the jail time, lost wages and lawyer’s fee, it’s a horrible mess and completely avoidable,” he added, not to mention the increase in insurance.
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said he’ll be adjusting patrols as needed for New Year’s Eve and the HBPD is participating in Drive Sober and the Click-It-Or-Ticket seat belt initiative.
HBPD Detective Sgt. Brian Hall said officers will police for fireworks as usual and make sure no parties violate the 10 p.m. quiet time under the city’s noise ordinance.
Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale and Detective Sgt. Lenard Diaz said reserve officers will be added to regular patrols for the expected crowds, traffic, fireworks and noise.
“We’ll have a really strong presence on Bridge Street —walking and in vehicles,” Speciale said. “Bridge Street is our main focus.”
Asked about DUIs, the chief said, “We don’t have a lot of people drinking who drive. I think we have that reputation. The Monkey Bus has helped us a lot with that — encouraging alternate modes of transportation.”
In Florida, a first-time DUI offender faces $250-$500 fines, 50 hours of community service, one-year probation, six-nine months in jail, license revocation and DUI school, according to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles.
Monkey Bus ready for holiday
A free-ride home from Anna Maria Island destinations on New Year’s Eve can be arranged by calling the Island Beach Monkeys — known fondly as the Monkey Bus.
Roque Pastorius and wife Kathy bought the business in 2014. Before becoming an owner, Roque drove for the business.
“If history repeats itself, we’ll be even busier this year,” Kathy Pastorius said.
Monkey Bus reservations can be made until 10 p.m. Dec. 31. After 10 p.m., people can try calling or wave down a passing shuttle, she added.
Two buses, one golf cart and two SUVs will be on duty, newly equipped with global tracking to aid in judging travel times and, for those who like to sing, karaoke monitors, according to Roque Pastorius.
Shuttles will run continuously up and down the island, making stops on Bridge Street and near Wicked Cantina in Bradenton Beach, at D.Coy Ducks Bar & Grille and Hurricane Hanks restaurant in Holmes Beach, and Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria, he said.
They’ll also run shuttles to Cortez, Perico Island and west Bradenton.
According to the owners, the business operates on advertising revenue — signs on the vehicles — and by leasing the vehicles to its drivers, who are compensated by passenger tips.
“Our main message is: Please, don’t drink and drive,” Roque Pastorius said, adding the shuttles will operate until 3 a.m.
“We like to say we’ll run until everyone’s home safely,” he said.
Island Beach Monkeys can be reached at 941-565-6542.