SAN ANTONIO — Fiesta is known for its vibrant parades, packed crowds, and celebration across San Antonio. But for police, it also means something else: an increase in drunk driving.
Last year, San Antonio police made 147 DWI arrests during Fiesta, a slight increase from 2024. Officers say those numbers are why they ramp up enforcement every year.
The News 4 I-Team got an exclusive look at that effort, riding along with the San Antonio Police Department’s DWI unit as they patrolled the streets during Fiesta.
SAPD ramps up Fiesta patrols, surges DWI efforts to target impaired drivers
“We’re out there, we are patrolling, and we are looking for drunk drivers,” said Officer Domonic Muro with the DWI unit.
During Fiesta, police are surging resources, watching for any signs of impairment.
On the ride-along, officers made multiple stops, some ending in warnings, and others led to arrests.
In one case, officers pulled a woman over and asked about how much she’d had to drink. She admitted to having a few drinks with colleagues before starting to drive home.
After performing sobriety tests, the woman ended up in handcuffs, arrested after officers say she showed signs of impairment.
Officers say you put a lot at risk when you drink and drive, for yourself and those on the road around you.
“It’s a very bad thing to do. You’re just putting a lot at risk,” said Officer John Maines, a longtime member of the DWI unit.
Maines says he’s seen firsthand how quickly a celebration can turn into a crash.
While not every stop results in an arrest, officers say visibility is key.
“We want to reduce the amount of damage that it can cause, and that’s why we try to have more officers out and more visible,” Maines said.
SAPD ramps up Fiesta patrols, surges DWI efforts to target impaired drivers
And stopping DWIs doesn’t begin on the road. It starts where alcohol is served.
At Fiesta events, vendors are trained to recognize when someone has had too much.
Walter Martinez has been serving drinks at the Fiesta Carnival for a decade and says the vendors’ role is important for overall public safety.
“Sometimes you have to politely cut them off,” Martinez said.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is the agency that issues Fiesta permits for vendors and provides that important training.
“They are truly the first line of defense when it comes to ensuring that people stay safe,” said Chris Porter with TABC.
SAPD ramps up Fiesta patrols, surges DWI efforts to target impaired drivers
Police urge people to plan ahead before heading out — whether that means using a rideshare, VIA’s park-and-ride system, or choosing a designated driver.
Because if you don’t, the consequences can be steep.
“You can get a shocking number of Ubers for my DWI fee,” said attorney Joe Hoelscher.
Hoelscher says arrests tend to increase during Fiesta, and with that, longer waits in jail are also possible.
“The more people who are arrested at once, the longer that process takes. Historically, we’ve seen people arrested during Fiesta for DWI wait up to two or three days to be released,” Hoelscher said. “Try to have a designated driver. Try to have a plan.”
At the end of the night, officers say the message is straightforward: “It’s just not worth it,” Maines said.
“Nowadays, there are so many options that DUI shouldn’t even be an option anymore,” Muro added.
Click here for the VIA bus Fiesta schedule
You can get a free ride through the nonprofit Free Rides Program