When planning a night out, it’s easy to focus on where you’ll go and who you’ll be with. But one of the most important things to consider is how you’ll get home safely. Whether it’s a low-key dinner or a festive night out, taking a few minutes to think ahead isn’t just responsible, it shows care for yourself and those around you.

One of the most effective ways to ensure a safe return is to choose a designated sober driver. This person commits to staying alcohol-free and takes responsibility for the group’s safe ride home. It’s a simple act that builds trust and reinforces our shared commitment to safety and wellness.

If a sober driver isn’t available, apps like Uber and Lyft offer reliable alternatives and are especially useful when plans change at the last minute or the group gets separated. Features like real-time tracking and trip sharing add peace of mind, especially when traveling alone or in unfamiliar areas.

Public transit can also be a good option if you plan. To avoid delays or confusion, look up schedules, routes and transfer points ahead of time. Bonus: you might find hidden gems like late-night diners or food trucks near your stops. Taxis are also dependable, especially in areas with limited rideshare coverage, and many allow pre-booking. Though taxis may cost more, their reliability can be worth the investment when safety is the priority.

When possible, plan your night around venues within walking distance. Staying close helps the group remain connected and reduces the need for multiple trips. Agreeing to leave together and look out for one another fosters unity and lowers the risk of someone ending up in an unsafe situation.

Planning ahead isn’t just about logistics, it’s about care and accountability. Whether you’re sworn or civilian, we all play a role in looking out for one another. Creating a plan helps reduce last-minute stress and keeps the focus on enjoying the night. It also sends a clear message: safety isn’t just a personal choice, it’s a shared value.

And safety doesn’t stop at how we get home. It includes how we show up for ourselves and each other when things feel off. That care can show up in quiet ways: noticing when someone’s drinking has changed, or when our own habits start to feel different — more frequent, more intense or harder to manage. These shifts aren’t always easy to name, especially in a culture that values independence and resilience. But they’re worth noticing. They’re signals, not failures.

Responding to those signals isn’t about judgment, it’s about connection. Reaching out doesn’t mean you’re in trouble; it means you’re taking a step to protect what matters. Across roles in this Department, we’re trained to recognize when something isn’t right and to step in. That same instinct applies to wellness and substance use. If something feels off, whether it’s your own experience or someone else’s, trust that instinct.

Talk to someone.

For sworn personnel, the Peace Officer’s Fellowship (POF) is a confidential, peer-led resource where deputies can speak openly with others who understand the unique pressures of the job. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or hoping to help someone else, POF offers a safe space to be heard without stigma and without judgment. You can reach out to any of the people who have shared their contact information above.

If you’re unsure whether what you’re seeing or feeling is cause for concern, or for any civilian personnel who are struggling, reach out to Psychological Services Bureau at (213) 738-3500. I’m available, and so are other peer support members, as well as our Department psychologists. We’re here to help you sort through it, connect you with resources and walk alongside you every step of the way. No one has to navigate this alone.