BEND, OR -- This New Year's Eve, the Deschutes County Sheriff's office wants people to have fun celebrating, but not at the expense of personal safety.
Captain Paul Garrison says making smart choices is the best way to stay protected. "If you're going to celebrate the New Year, the ringing in of it, we'd obviously ask that you be responsible in the consumption of the alcohol. Have a plan, an alternative method to get home, and along the lines of drinking, when you're in groups, and you're drinking, obviously, you keep tabs on your drink, where it is."
Garrison says alcohol can be a big part of celebrating, but making good choices when it comes to consumption, can make your evening much more enjoyable. "Probably a good idea not to attend parties solely by yourself, have maybe a buddy system that you're with. Don't go off in strange areas with people you're not familiar with, be familiar with your surroundings as best you can in the event that you become uncomfortable."
Garrison also suggests calling 911 or the Deschutes County non-emergency number if you see someone driving erratically or behaving in an unsafe fashion.
