As a resident who is very concerned about the recent alcohol-related crimes here in State College, I have to agree with Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon on his point that bars should try to have some measures in place to reduce the number of trips students will make to the ER or to reduce the number of drunken drivers on what we're probably going to call "St. Patrick's Day -- Observed" on March 2. However, for someone with a lot of interest in the matter, Mr. Mahon is very short on specifics, at least with regards to suggestions for what the bars could do. So I'm going to offer one of my own: I think bars should prominently post the phone numbers of all the local cab companies and have bouncers encourage visibly intoxicated patrons to call a cab instead of driving home -- even if it's just handing out flyers with the cab companies' phone numbers on it. Maybe cab companies could even offer a special discounted or flat fare that day -- what they lose in per-rider fare would easily be made up by increased ridership volume overall.

For that matter, I have to say that I am surprised that there aren't more cabs in State College. Perhaps it's a lack of visibility -- only recently have I seen a handful of taxis painted the yellow color that most people traditionally associate with taxicabs. And why aren't there more cabs parked outside of downtown bars at night? You'd think that would be a gold mine for the cab drivers, especially when all the stragglers file (or stumble) out of the bars at 2 a.m.

Anyway, the point, Mr. Mahon, is that in order to help combat drunken driving in this town, you need to present a plan. You can't just tell people not to do it -- not in this town. I've offered my suggestions. I'd love to hear yours (or anyone else's).