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Village PD reports anything but ‘Silent Night’ on the New Year
Although it was the holiday season, New Year’s Eve was anything but a silent night in the village, police said.
Christmas might be what people think of when they hear the phrase ‘silent night’ but law enforcement officials across the region report New Years Eve was a close second on the roads, at least.
A holiday known in the past for a high rate of alcohol-related driving arrests and accidents saw few of either across the region, officials said.
Granville Village Police did not record a single arrest for driving while intoxicated occurring during the period of celebration from Wednesday evening until the morning hours of New Year’s Day.
But a holiday observed with alcohol was not without its fair share of activity.
“It was not a quiet night at all,” Granville Police Sgt. Dave Williams said.
Williams said the night had been a busy one with alcohol-fueled complaints, although none had been vehicular in nature.
Williams said the patrol officers on New Year’s night dealt with fighting and highly intoxicated individuals, but did not make a driving while intoxicated arrest in the village. Williams said he did not know what the State Police or Washington County Sheriff’s Department had recorded during the same time period.
“It’s traditionally become a night where there’s higher awareness of enforcement levels so party-goers and the establishments make arrangements to get a safe and sober rider home,” Williams said.
“The department gives courtesy rides home, as well,” he said.
Police reports from the night show several rides were provided to highly intoxicated individuals located throughout the village. Intoxicated people found walking are offered rides for their safety, he said.
“We want to make sure someone does not get in the road (when walking). We just wanted to get them home safely,” he said.
Awareness of a focused police presence has led people to plan their night out, which now includes how to get home without getting in trouble with the law, Williams said. “Establishments within the village are pretty good, they have a standing policy of providing a ride to anyone who needs one,” Williams said.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported no driving while intoxicated arrests.
State Police in Granville reported no driving while intoxicated arrests for the evening of Dec. 31 or the early morning hours of Jan. 1.
According to reports in other publications arrests, for driving while intoxicated were quite low, with the Vermont State Police recording seven arrests statewide for driving while intoxicated after midnight Dec. 31 and no fatal motor vehicle accidents over the same time period.
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