Beer Goggles And Other Highlights Showcased At Lake Elsinore's National Night Out

Drunk goggles and more were among the sights to see at Tuesday night's 30th annual National Night Out hosted by the Lake Elsinore Police Department and Target Corporation. 

The four-hour family fun event held at Lake Elsinore’s Alberhill Park gave local residents the opportunity to mix with law enforcement in a comfortable environment. 

“National Night Out is a public safety expo where members of the public can meet officers from the Police Department and other public safety agencies first hand,” Riverside County Sheriff’s Sgt. Raymond Nava explained. “The goal of National Night Out is to build community partnerships between the public and public safety in a festival atmosphere.”

Durning the event, the deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station displayed tactical gear and teams from the Mounted Posse, Bomb Squad, Lake Patrol, dive team, and much more, including simulated drunk driving and K-9 demonstrations. 

There was also face painting for the kids and raffle prizes that were donated by local merchants who turned out in support of National Night Out.

According to Nava, citizens were also able to drive a golf cart through a coned path without Fatal Vision Glasses on, also known as "beer" or "drunk goggles.”

“These are glasses that simulate the impairment you get from drinking alcohol,” Nava said. Drivers at the expo took a pass at the obstacle course unimpaired, but on the second go-round they wore the beer glasses.

“On their second trip through, they start running into (cones),” Nava continued.

David Hansen, 72 of Lake Elsinore, had the opportunity to see what it was like to be an impaired driver. Hansen said it was an “interesting experience,” noting that he does not drink. 

“I was driving it to see the comparison between driving drunk and driving sober,” Hansen said with his wife standing by. “I can see where it would be difficult for a drunk person trying to navigate through people and things.

“I only hit two cones... I don’t know if that equals two people or not, but I felt terrible about that.” --By Daniel Lane