JACKSON, Wyo. — The love for jam band Widespread Panic is strong in Jackson.
Tonight, the band will play at the top of Snow King to a sold-out crowd. In a conversation with Buckrail, the Jackson Police Department (JPD) shared that its officers would be out and about during and after the concert to help folks get home safely. Cruisers dedicated to impaired driving enforcement will be on the road this weekend, and additional JPD officers will be on foot patrol near the base of the mountain.
JPD advises following these tips to get home safely and to avoid getting arrested:
- Use the buddy system
- Have a plan for a safe place to go at the end of the night
- Be able to clearly articulate that plan to law enforcement
The last time Widespread played Jackson, JPD saw an uptick in public intoxication, including a few anecdotal examples of people passed out in the streets. The agency is hoping to help overly intoxicated people survive the night.
“There’s a disconnect: People see us as harsh enforcers of the law for public intoxication,” Lt. Russ Ruschill said. “I know I’ve saved someone from freezing in this town because I arrested them for public intoxication and took them to jail. Sometimes the safest place can be inside of a jail cell with a $100 fine.”
Ruschill emphasized that most officers would prefer to help get someone home safely than to arrest them.
Those who are traveling to attend the show should remember that high altitude can affect alcohol consumption. Snow King’s summit is approximately 7,800 feet high — a visitor from sea level might not recognize how that drastic change in altitude can enhance the effects of alcohol.
More than 100 licensed taxi drivers work in Jackson, according to JPD, and Lyft and Uber drivers tend to flock to the region for busy holiday weekends. JPD encourages using these services rather than endangering oneself and others by driving while under the influence.
