Full Notification

Written by
Karen Madden
Daily Tribune Staff

With the start of the holidays and the parties that go with them, law enforcement officials hope residents will remember there is an alternative to driving when they've had too much alcohol to drink.
Volunteers with Pub Pilots will give people who have had too much to drink a safe ride home, and volunteers will drive home their vehicles.

"It's a good program," Grand Rapids Police Chief Dave Lewandowski said. "It gets you home safe; it gets your vehicle home safe; and it saves lives."

Dave Sonnenberg, who along with Stan Sukow took over coordinator duties for Pub Pilots in February, said the program is doing well with funding and volunteers.

"We average about 100 rides a month," Sonnenberg said.
Pub Pilots, a nonprofit organization that was the first of its kind in Wisconsin when it started in July 2008, has spread to other communities such as Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids Police Chief Kurt Heuer said. Wisconsin Rapids Police Lt. Kevin Schwartz got the idea for Pub Pilots while visiting Japan, where drivers caught driving while intoxicated lose their driver's licenses permanently.

The service, which is free to riders, is available from midnight to 2:30 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Heuer hopes people will take advantage of the program.

"We're very thankful this is part of our community and made available to our citizens," Heuer said. "It's being utilized at a very good level, which is very encouraging for us in law enforcement."
Pub Pilots costs about $12,000 a year to operate, Sonnenberg said.

To help with the expenses, the group places donation cans in Wisconsin Rapids-area taverns and some convenience stores.
"It's like anything else; the funding is always needed," Sonnenberg said.

HOW TO HELP

Pub Pilots co-coordinator Dave Sonnenberg is looking for volunteers to both give rides and drive riders' vehicles home. If interested, call Pub Pilots at 715-421-3000.

People who want to donate may send checks or money orders to Pub Pilots at PO Box 461; Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54695.