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Law Enforcement for New Year’s
12/31/09 - 05:29 PM
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Merriment and mayhem may be a typical New Year’s Eve for some, but law enforcement in Bay County says you better celebrate responsibly, or you could spend the first day of the New Year in jail.

Authorities say that under-staffing is a big issue.  The call volume on New Year’s is huge.  Officers are spread thin, but they say no matter how many or few, they will be able to handle law violators.

For some, what should be a fun evening ringing in the New Year might end up with the flashing of police lights, not the sparkling of fireworks.  Robert Colbert is the deputy chief at the Panama City Police Department.  He believes that “…the adage is that whatever you’re doing on the first day of the year is what you’ll be doing all year long, and I would certainly hate to spend the first day of the New Year in jail.”

Deputy Chief Colbert says that holidays like New Year’s pose a challenge for law enforcement for 2 reasons:  “…alcohol-related driving habits and the other is arguments and domestic situations again, focusing on the alcohol.”

Florida Highway Patrol says that in addition to handling traffic crashes, their business will be to deal with drunk and reckless driving.  Lieutenant Dave Brown says that “We’re going to be doing roving patrols and we’ll be mainly on the travel roads that people use to travel to and from their destinations.”

The beach will welcome the New Year with fireworks at Pier Park. Lieutenant David Humphreys with the Panama City Beach Police says that their biggest challenge will be handling the traffic in and around Pier Park. Humphreys says the beach police isn’t out to ruin a good time, just protect the public:  “We want people to have a good time. However, when that infringes on the rights and safety of others, that’s when we have to and will aggressively take action.”

But all law enforcement agrees that no matter how you celebrate, make sure to be responsible.

Both AAA and Gulf County Wrecker Service are providing free towing services. Gulf Wrecker will work Bay, Gulf and Franklin Counties.