By Patrick Tepoorten

According to North Branch Police Chief Steve Forner, the city's "sober cab" program has been up an running since Nov. 1, although as yet no establishment has had to make use of the service.

Were the need to arise though, Forner, in conjunction with many local businesses, has designed a process for making sure persons too inebriated to drive get home safely.

To this point, The North Branch American Legion, JJ's Bowl, and the Olde Brick Inn are participating the program, and Forner hopes more establishments will get on board in the near future.

When an establishment recognizes an individual who has no business being behind the wheel, they call on North Branch Cab, which will take the person home up to a $15 fare. The ride home is paid for through a donation account, McDonald's Distributing, and the participating establishment, each of which pay a third of the fare. According to Forner, the donation account already has enough to cover its third for some time.

Individuals who are given a ride through this service, may only go home.

If the individual getting the ride home is so intoxicated that there is concern about getting inside their home safely, the establishment can send along a rider to see that they not only get home, but get inside safely.

The sober cab program is not only a good deal for the establishments and individuals that use it, but also for the police department and, most importantly, other drivers.

"It keeps us from having to spend three hours dealing with a DWI, or report to an accident scene," said Forner, who noted that even a first offense misdemeanor DWI can cost an individual around $18,000 to clear up legally.

For more information on the service, or to make a donation, call the North Branch Police Department at (651) 764-7025.