SURF CITY, N.C. — Safety around alcohol is a priority, especially for those opting to go out to ring in the new year, authorities say.
Wilmington police Officer Biss Kistler says there has been an increase in alcohol-related incidents, including crashes.
“We’ve seen an uptick in some drinks being tampered with. So just be cognizant where you’re setting your drink down or who you’re with so that you can trust who you’re with to keep an eye on you and keep an eye on your drinks,” Kistler said. “Make sure that you’re staying safe while you’re actually enjoying yourself.”
She says the police department will have an increased presence in the downtown area for New Year’s Eve festivities.
Many bars, breweries and clubs are also taking precautions.
Before joining the bar scene, Joe Cina spent almost 20 years in law enforcement with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. He continues the goal of safety as manager at Tortuga’s Nest, especially for New Year’s celebrations.
“We tell people all the time to be responsible for your drink,” Cina said. “If we see drinks sitting around on tables and they’re unattended, we are trained to pick them up and throw them away. We do not leave them out on tables.”
Tortuga’s Nest allows 18- to 20-year-olds into the club, but with the purpose of being designated drivers.
“If they don’t have that armband on and they’re holding one of these cups, our staff is trained to immediately recognize it. We take them outside and we re-ID them and then we take measures from there,” Cina said.
Cina says he has a fully trained staff of ex-military and ex-law enforcement, and even with a full staff on the floor, they have other ways of keeping an eye from above.
“One of the best qualities about this camera system — everybody knows that he said, she said, (but the) camera doesn’t lie. We can pull up and see exactly what took place,” Cina said. “So if somebody says they were assaulted, if somebody says that a theft occurred, one of us can come in here, pull the camera footage, and we can observe and see if there was a theft.”
The DJ booth sits above everyone to give the DJ a better view of patrons.
Cina offered a few tips for people if they are going out to celebrate the new year.
“You always want to come with somebody. Don’t ever go out alone,” he said. “Always meet somebody. Have a game plan.”
“Always have a code word,” he said. “If you feel uncomfortable when you’re with your friends and you get into a situation where you’re not comfortable, use some type of code word or conversation that tells your friend that you’re not comfortable and you want to walk away together so you can have a private conversation.”