IRVINE : Teen-Age Safe Ride Program Faces Cuts

A program that provides free rides to teen-agers who think they have had too much to drink could see its funding reduced under a proposal now being considered.

Irvine’s Safe Rides program is run by Explorer Scouts and paid for by People for Irvine Community Health, a nonprofit group that sponsors a variety of health and education program in the city.

Facing a tight budget, PICH might cut its funding to Safe Rides, forcing the teen-agers who run the program to look for new sources of money.

The move comes as demand for rides is decreasing. Over the last four months, Irvine’s Safe Rides program received 47 calls for service, a decrease from several years ago, said Barbara Allari, the vice president of PICH.

Allari attributed the decline to the success of anti-drunk-driving campaigns. She also said an increasing number of teen-agers are using designated drivers who stay sober when groups go out to party.

The Safe Rides program is in operation most Friday and Saturday nights when school is in session. Explorer Scouts who have gone through special training staff a hot line that teen-agers can call if they need rides.

Explorers provide rides to teen-agers in the Irvine area. But if a call comes in from outside the city, the Explorers can connect the caller to the Safe Rides hot line in their area.

PICH allocated about $1,150 to Safe Rides last year. The money went to pay mostly for phone bills and general operating expenses, Allari said.

The agency has not decided how much money will be cut from the program. “We want to look at the budget very closely,� Allari said. “We are looking at the amount we spend.�

PICH officials hope the prospect of a funding reduction will prompt Safe Riders leaders to look at ways of improving the program and finding new sources of revenue. Allari said the explorers could hold fund-raisers like car washes to make up for any lost money from PICH.