In March of 2006, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission along with TABC agents and Irving Texas police swept through 36 bars and arrested about 30 people on charges of public intoxication. This was supposed to be a proactive measure to stop drinking and driving. At one location, agents and police arrested patrons at a hotel bar even though some of the suspects said that they were staying at the hotel and had no intention of driving. Arresting authorities said the patrons were a danger to themselves and others. According to the TABC officials, the strategy was aimed at saving lives. Apparently, designated drivers, calling a taxi or walking home now means you can be arrested as a potential drunk driver, even when you don’t have a car.
In July of 2006, a Southern California native was quite inebriated on a Friday evening out with friends and so he decided to walk home rather than take any risks and drive. Thinking he was being responsible since he was only six blocks from his home, he was in for a big surprised when he was stopped while walking by Orange County Police. He was hauled into the station for DIP (drunk in public).
Evidently, walking home after drinking is no longer a safe measure. Even if you call a cab and leave your car, you take the chance of having your car towed away. Once you leave a bar, you run the risk of being arrested for drunk in public.
Naturally, there are times when public drunk arrests are appropriate, such as when someone is behaving badly, causing a scene, fighting, throwing things, etc. But if someone is simply walking home and not bothering anyone, why place them under arrest. Your job is to serve and protect, not to obscure the evidence and arrest.
