Palos Heights and Palos Park Offering New Year's Eve Safe Rides

Both Palos Heights and Palos Park are participating in programs aimed to avoid drunken driving accidents. 

Palos Heights is participating in a program along with Orland Park, Tinley Park, Mokena and New Lenox. The Safe Ride Home Program is funded by each of the participating municipalities and with a grant from the Michael P. Gordon Foundation.

Chicago Police Officer Michael Gordon, 30, was on patrol on Aug. 8, 2004, when his squad car was hit by an intoxicated, unlicensed driver who ran a red light. Gordon was killed and his partner was seriously injured.

“The Michael P. Gordon Foundation donates to a number of police causes like Safe Ride Home and Paddy Wagons,” said Officer Gordon’s brother, John Gordon.

“We want people to be safe," John Gordon said. "My brother was in a clearly marked Chicago Police Department squad car when he was killed. No one is safe from drunk drivers.”

Free rides home from establishments within the participating towns will be available beginning 11 p.m. New Year's Eve until 4 a.m. New Year's Day. Drivers will transport revelers home but not to other establishments.

Residents can call Stretch Limousine at 844-230-1637 to arrange for a free ride home during the designated hours on New Year’s Eve.

The Palos Park Police Department is offering no questions asked rides to those in the village who might need one on New Year's Eve. For a ride call Palos Park police directly at 708-448-2191 or call Police Chief Joe Miller’s cell directly at 708-259-1035. 

In addition, the Palos Park Police Department will perform residence and well-being checks on requested homes between 7 p.m. and 4 a.m.  

Police Commissioner Dan Polk said in a news release, “No matter what you're doing to ring in the New Year, we want you to be safe and our staff will be working all night to help you stay safe.”

Police warn motorists that there will be extra forces on duty and to pay special attention to pedestrians who may be out walking.