The last holiday celebration of the year where family and friends gather to ring in the new year always prompts law enforcement agencies to ramp up patrols in order to keep everyone safe.

“It’s going to be busy and you know our theory is “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” so we’re going to be out in force, all your local law enforcement will be for New Year’s Eve,” said Sheriff Jeff Wood. “Before you go to a New Year’s Eve Party, if you’re going to be drinking, make sure you have a plan to get home before you go.” The risk of getting behind the wheel after enjoying a few glasses of “spirits” is not worth it financially and emotionally.

Everyone knows that with the new year that the county has made some budget cuts and implemented re-organization of some departments. “Animal Control will fall under the Sheriff’s Office this year and there’s been some changes out there. They’re going to operate with three full-time employees. They will be more accessible to the public with our new plan that we have,” stated Wood. In the past, the animal shelter only operated during the weekdays but will now be open on the weekends from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The newly established hours are in hopes to encourage community members to consider pet adoption.

The Carbon County Sheriff’s office would like everyone to have a happy and safe new year.