Pilot program aims to make New Year’s Eve safer

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.