A friendly chat between friends may help make New Year’s Eve safer for Cinco Ranch residents this year.

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The “Safe Streets” pilot program was formed by Fort Bend County Constable Rob Cook, who represents Precinct 3, after a talk with a friend about drunken driving on holidays.

“We’re going to start off small, only in the Fort Bend County areas of Katy,” Cook said of the program. “The focus will initially be on New Year’s Eve; there’s so many people out and about. We want to get more people off the streets that maybe get in an accident or get hurt.”

The program will involve two deputies in the Cinco Ranch area to drive people home from a private residence, restaurant or bar between 11 p.m. Dec. 31 and 2 a.m. Jan 1. The area serviced would be limited to Cinco Ranch, the city of Katy and Fulshear.

Residents who have had too much to drink would call 281-238-1448 with their location and final destination. “If there is something we can do that will get them off the road, that’s more productive,” Cook said.

Cook said he consulted with Fort Bend County Attorney Roy Cordes about the legality of the program.

“We already do this sort of thing all the time, whether their car’s broken down, or whatever,” Cook added. “[Cordes] said the benefit to the community outweighs the costs.”

After some research, Cordes said he the program was within the constable’s legal authority.

“It meets a public purpose, which is to keep those who have over-indulged off the streets,” Cordes said.

Bobbie Dani, general manager of Another Round Wine Bar in La Centerra, said she supports the program.

Dani said major holidays are high-risk days for drunken driving and anything to help alleviate that is good for the community.

“I would really love to see that happen,” Dani said about the plan.