Woodstock offering New Year’s ride home

The Woodstock Police Department will be conducting its “Operation Safe Ride” program for a seventh year this New Year’s Eve, with police providing free rides home to patrons of local bars who may be impaired or just feel they’re unsafe to drive.

Chief Calvin Moss said those needing a ride must be at an establishment within the Woodstock city limits, live within a reasonable distance of Woodstock and be without money for a cab. The department uses a 15-passenger van and two officers to drive people home, with a local towing company again offering to tow vehicles free of charge.

Police said the program’s given more than 300 people a ride since its inception.