OTTUMWA —
In years past, New Year’s Eve has truly been a raucous rockin’ Eve, but that’s not so now, according to some local officials.
Lt. Tom McAndrew of Ottumwa Police Department said there wasn’t any overtime planned for New Year’s Eve. He has no plans to use extra officers.
“New Year’s Eve is usually quiet for Ottumwa,” he said Thursday.
Longtime city residents may remember days when downtown streets were rather lively for the New Year’s holiday. The department used extra officers to keep celebrants off public sidewalks.
How did that change happen?
McAndrew said most people these days get a designated driver and use good judgment.
“Most people have plans for the weekend and do take measures to make sure everyone is safe,” he added.
Also, McAndrew doesn’t really want to spend money on overtime. But he’ll call in some workers if needed.
At the Wapello County Sheriff’s Department, 911 Coordinator Brian Major usually doesn’t schedule extra workers.
“We don’t have extra dispatchers at the sheriff’s department,” Major said. “We just have one dispatcher on at a time.”
Major also noted holidays usually aren’t bad.
“The days after the holiday are usually tougher rather than the holiday itself,” he said.
Major admitted having the holiday in the middle of the week can make Saturday a bit wilder than usual.
“It’s been quiet so far today,” he said. “We’ve had only one call so far, and that was an illegally parked vehicle.”
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Officers plan for quiet New Year’s Eve
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