Stateline expecting larger than average crowd

Staff Reports

With New Year's Eve close to a weekend, a larger than normal turnout is expected for this year's celebration in Stateline.

The annual celebration attracts about 65,000 people to the casino core at Lake Tahoe.

The weather is expected to be clear and cold, with the low of 12 degrees.

Douglas County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Jim Halsey said that as long as the roads are clear, weather doesn't affect the numbers.

Halsey said motorists should expect Highway 50 through the casino core to close at about 9 p.m. He said that traffic will be diverted to upper and lower Lake Parkway.

"Those drivers anticipating traveling through the casino core that evening should allow themselves an additional 30 minutes of travel time," he said. "Additionally, due to past poor road conditions caused by weather, anyone traveling in the area should have snow tires on their vehicle or carry tire chains with them."

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office won't be working the annual event by itself.

Other agencies include the Nevada Highway Patrol, Carson City Sheriff's Department, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriff's Department, California Highway Patrol, Nevada Department of Prisons, Placer County Sheriff's Office and the FBI. Agencies supporting law enforcement officers include the Douglas County Communications Center, Douglas County Road Department, Cal-Trans and Nevada Department of Transportation.

Halsey said transportation workers have been instrumental in assisting the Douglas County with clearing and reopening of the roadway after past celebrations.

Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini has directed all officers to adopt a non-confrontational attitude in their contacts with the celebrants. This method of enforcement has been extremely effective in years past.

"The celebrants appreciate law enforcement's balance of protecting life and property while at the same time allowing the celebrants to ring in the New Year," Halsey said. "There are, however, behaviors that will not be tolerated by law enforcement."

Any act that places celebrants or law enforcement in jeopardy will likely result in arrest, Halsey said.

Those acts include vandalism, theft, narcotic violations, rowdy behavior or fighting, throwing projectiles, possession or setting off of fireworks, drunkenness, minors consuming or possessing alcohol or any other act that disrupts the goal of achieving a peaceful and safe environment for all in attendance.

Open containers of alcohol are prohibited within the casino core area. Glass or metal containers regardless of contents are prohibited in the casino core area, and will be confiscated by law enforcement.

Halsey asked that parents keep track of their children's whereabouts and activities, especially during New Years.

"The crowd that gathers in the casino core for the New Year celebration is neither conducive nor intended for participation by juveniles," he said. "Each year during New Year's Eve, a large percentage of the arrests and law enforcement contacts made are of persons under the age of 21."

The curfew in Douglas County is midnight on New Year's Eve.

"Persons under the age of 18 are subject to arrest and or citation for being in violation of this ordinance," Halsey said. "All persons under the age of 21 who are in possession of alcohol or who have consumed or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be subject to arrest."

Halsey said not all the county's law enforcement will be in Stateline on Monday night.

The sheriff's office will have a full complement of patrol personnel on duty in both the Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe areas to handle calls for service and conduct traffic enforcement, particularly targeting intoxicated drivers.

"All persons who consume alcohol during their New Years Eve celebration are encouraged to catch a ride with a sober driver, or utilize a local taxi service," he said.