Downtown Stamford prepares for safe, fun New Year's Eve
Bars and the police department are making arrangements to ensure safety.
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Downtown Stamford is gearing up for what is expected to be a busy New Year's Eve, with both bars and the police department making arrangements.
Bedford Hall and The Towne Parlor are just two of the spots with special New Year's Eve food and drink deals, with Towne Parlor server and bartender Zack Gaiero expecting "a lot of drinking a lot of partying."
"It's going to be a ton of fun," Gaiero says.
But the businesses will be looking out for anyone drinking too much.
"We have security at the front door, a consistent team that operates for us whenever it's a busy late night service," says Bedford Hall manager Emma Benson.
"Our bartenders are also really well-trained, we know when to cut somebody off, and our first priority is making sure nobody is doing anything dangerous," says Gaiero.
The biggest issue there is always drinking and driving. The Stamford Police Department says it also hopes to have extra, dedicated patrols out watching for that.
The issue hits especially close to home in the city, since a resident died on New Year's Eve while driving drunk just two years ago.
"The onus is always on the driver when it comes to operating under the influence," says Sgt. Jeffrey Booth, the supervisor of the Stamford Police Department Traffic Enforcement Unit. "It's a conscious decision to drink and then get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle of a car. You're putting everyone at risk."
Both the bars and police department say they work to remind people that especially in downtown Stamford, there are plenty of options to get home.
Booth recommends having a plan before going out. If that falls apart and you get more intoxicated than you planned on getting, Booth says to leave your car at the bar and find a ride home.
Benson says that staff and security at Bedford Hall are more than happy to help customers find one, saying to just ask if you need to call some sort of ride service.
