Attention St. Patrick's Day party goers: Area law enforcement will be watching you



WAUKESHA (WITI) -- St. Patty'd Day is just a few days away, but some are starting their revelry tonight. And police want you to know, they'll be watching.

For whatever reason, Saint Patrick's Day is one of those holidays that seems synonymous with drinking. Which is why area law enforcers are putting laser-like focus on those who would place their own fun above the safety of others.

Officers from 29 area departments are getting their marching orders for the next several days.

"They're going to go out and make contact with as many drivers as they can and try and get as many whether its alcohol impairment or drug impairment," said Bob Hagen, City of Delafield Police Department and Chairman of southeast Wisconsin OWI Task Force.

FOX6 News rode along with one such Waukesha Police Officer Friday afternoon.

"Generally as the night progresses you start to see more and more in the way of impairment, so a lot of us will stick to the downtown area because we know that's where the majority of our bars are," said Garrett Luling, with Waukesha Police Department.

Officer Luling says they'll be watching for the classic signs of impaired driving. Things like speeding, swerving and not being able to stay in your lane.

"Whether St. Patrick's Day falls on a Tuesday or it falls on a Saturday or a Friday, you always will get people out there drinking and driving," said Officer Luling.

The take away message here is, don't let it be you who makes the bad decision to drink and drive. It could cost you big, even if it's your first offense.

"Just make sure you think ahead and get a sober driver because if you don't, the ride in the police car is probably going to end up in jail not home," said Hagen.

The officers participating in Friday's roll call are all part of southeast Wisconsin OWI Task Force. FOX6 News is told this group has had 10 deployments since this past October -- netting more than 120 OWI arrests.