Community members are busy this week with local high school graduation ceremonies, as well as preparing for the first long holiday weekend of the summer. Carbon County Sheriff Jeff Wood stopped into the Castle Country Radio Stations to give some sound advice on staying safe.
“We’re cracking down on the underage drinking issues we have and that’s an issue in our county, so we are working towards just curbing that a little bit. So there will be an enhanced law enforcement presence through a collaborative effort of all agencies out and about for graduation night and through the weekend,” stated Wood. Parents are encourage to speak with their child about their plans for the evening and emphasize the consequences of underage drinking, whether it’s getting behind the wheel or riding with someone who has been drinking. The annual Graduation Spectacular held for local high school students is a great way to celebrate in a safe and sober manner.
Memorial weekend is the first three-day holiday weekend of the summer. Many members of the community will have various activities scheduled like cookouts, boating and camping.
“We are going to beef up our law enforcement presence around for many reasons; travel safety, we want everyone to travel to their destination safely, make sure you have your seat belts on, take your time, don’t be an aggressive driver, don’t speed, don’t make bad passes. I mean we do have one of the top ten deadliest highways that runs through our county with Highway 6,” stated Wood. If you are traveling this weekend be mindful of your surroundings while driving to and from your destination.
If you and your family are headed up to the back-country to do some camping remember water conditions can change very quickly, sometimes within just a few hours, use common sense. Wood added, “Now the rivers are swollen, the streams are swollen, make sure you are mindful of your pets and your children and that they’re not near the stream. You just can’t really survive long in there and definitely can’t swim for very long in there, it’s coming out of the snow packs. Keep in mind if you’re a bystander do what you can to help but don’t put yourself in the water because it will drown you as well.” Campers should always comply to all warning signs posted in campgrounds, fishing and/or boating areas, it only takes a few seconds for a tragic accident to happen.
Carbon County Sheriff’s Office wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.