Sheriff’s Office free Holiday Ride Home program starts on Thanksgiving Day and runs through Jan. 2 to prevent drinking and driving; Call 271-2501 to be brought home

Sheriff James Pohlmann reminds residents that on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, for the 32nd consecutive year the Sheriff’s Office free holiday ride home program begins and runs through Jan. 2 as a way to hold down drinking and driving.

Call 271-2501 for the ride home.

Last year some 24 people took advantage, believed to be a record number, getting a ride home from any point in the parish, no questions asked, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

“It may have been the largest number of people we have had use the program,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said, and was a sign that residents are heeding the advice that it isn’t worth the risk to get behind the wheel if they are impaored.

“It’s a no-brainer,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Why should you risk killing or injuring yourself or someone else or being arrested for DWI when we will bring you home free in St. Bernard,’’ the sheriff said. “Just call us.’’

When it was started in 1984 by then-Sheriff Jack A. Stephens it was the first of its type in the New Orleans area and is still a great idea, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Unfortunately, he said, arrests for driving while intoxicated also continue to be made each year during the holidays, indicating some people just don’t get it or may think there is some catch to it.

A sheriff’s deputy will pick you up and take you to your home in St. Bernard or, if you live out of the parish, you can be taken to a sheriff’s sub-station where arrangements can be made to have someone pick you up there. The program only brings a person home, not from one bar to another, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The Sheriff’s Office continues to work in conjunction with State Police to battle drunk-driving. “We patrol vigorously looking for anyone who is driving drunk or on drugs,’’ the sheriff said.”So don’t chance it. Call us instead.’’