Calgary Police gearing up for busy New Years Eve

After a busy start to the weekend responding to an excess of alcohol-related incidents, Calgary Police are gearing up for what they expect to be one of the most hectic nights of the year.

With New Years Eve parties going on throughout the city, they will increase their presence to handle the influx of calls.

The biggest spectacle Saturday night is expected to be the Citytv New Years Eve Bash at Olympic Plaza as thousands of people ring in the new year in the spotlight.  

If you’re planning to attend the family friendly event, Duty Inspector Darren Cave tells 660News, drinking prior to the outdoor party can be fun but there are consequences to irresponsibility.

“Let’s all hope that it becomes a very enjoyable family type of evening but just be aware that sometimes there are people out there that don’t want to follow the rules and because of their level of inebriation, don’t follow the rules,” said Cave.

“People have to behave and people have to exercise some common sense.”

Inspector Cave adds there will be additional CheckStops on Calgary roads, so if you’re planning to head out drinking, take a cab or have a designated driver.

“It continues to be one of the priorities of our department, is the consequences of drinking and driving so our members will be vigilant out there,” said Cave.

“Yes, there will be CheckStops out there tonight (Saturday). Our members, and not just people assigned to the traffic section, but all our members as always will be vigilant and looking for impaired drivers.”

And if you think you’ll slip through a police CheckStop high this New Year’s Eve, think again.

CPS have drug recognition experts on hand for just that reason, pulling over impaired drivers who are pushing their luck behind the wheel.

The Calgary Police will have field sobriety testing at CheckStops, to determine if a driver is impaired while operating a car.

Drug Recognition Expert Andrew Fairman says, ignorance is not an excuse, if you get caught high.

“Even if you’re not chargable for some reason, you’re still a danger to all of the people out on the road but because of the fact that you haven’t educated yoruself to the drug that you’re taking, you could end up injuring or killing somebody,” said Fairman.

While prescription medication might seem safe, there are a lot of negative effects when they’re not used properly.

Fairman suggests you re-read the warning labels before you take them.