MONROE - The trend in the city over the past few years is to celebrate New Year's Eve quietly, with friends or family, Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley said.
"There don't seem to be as many people who stay out late at the bars," he said.
New year's Eve has traditionally been a night when people go out and celebrate, with an emphasis on alcohol. Stiffer drunken driving laws have helped change that, Kelley said.
"People don't want to get picked up for drunk driving," he said.
There will be some people who do drink too much and there will be some who try to drive home. Kelley's advice for them is to think twice before they get behind the wheel.
"There's no free-be for the holiday," Kelley said. "If you get picked up for drunk driving you will be charged."
The best way to avoid a drunken driving ticket is to find a designated driver, he said. If people plan ahead they can avoid a lot of problems, he added.
Green County Emergency Medical Services will offer free rides to anyone who needs help getting home.
Green County EMS Public Information Officer Kelly King said the organization will provide rides from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., beginning tonight.
The program, called "Arrive Alive," will give rides to anyone within a 10-mile radius of Monroe.
Anyone who needs a ride can call 329-4367.
King said there will be a full staff available to provide rides.
"We encourage people to take advantage of it," she said. "Community service and caring for people is what we're all about."
"There don't seem to be as many people who stay out late at the bars," he said.
New year's Eve has traditionally been a night when people go out and celebrate, with an emphasis on alcohol. Stiffer drunken driving laws have helped change that, Kelley said.
"People don't want to get picked up for drunk driving," he said.
There will be some people who do drink too much and there will be some who try to drive home. Kelley's advice for them is to think twice before they get behind the wheel.
"There's no free-be for the holiday," Kelley said. "If you get picked up for drunk driving you will be charged."
The best way to avoid a drunken driving ticket is to find a designated driver, he said. If people plan ahead they can avoid a lot of problems, he added.
Green County Emergency Medical Services will offer free rides to anyone who needs help getting home.
Green County EMS Public Information Officer Kelly King said the organization will provide rides from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., beginning tonight.
The program, called "Arrive Alive," will give rides to anyone within a 10-mile radius of Monroe.
Anyone who needs a ride can call 329-4367.
King said there will be a full staff available to provide rides.
"We encourage people to take advantage of it," she said. "Community service and caring for people is what we're all about."