Plan for big Stateline crowd tonight

Tonight's forecast calls for 65,000 people to ring in the New Year in the Stateline casino corridor.

With relatively warm temperatures and clear roads, there will be few obstacles for people who want to gather for a New Year's Eve celebration, meaning that Highway 50 will probably be closed to motorists.

"Due to the ordinarily high volume of pedestrians within the Stateline casino core area during the New Year's Eve celebration, Highway 50 may be closed to vehicle traffic through the area if necessary for the general safety of the public," Sgt. Jim Halsey said.

Should Highway 50 close, motorists will be detoured around the casino core using 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," Halsey said.

Sheriff Ron Pierini has directed all officers to adopt a nonconfrontational approach in their contacts with the celebrants.

"This method of enforcement has been extremely effective in years past," he said. "The celebrants appreciate law enforcement's balance of protecting life and property while at the same time allowing the celebrants to enthusiastically ring in the New Year."

But nonconfrontational doesn't mean that officers will ignore scofflaws.

Halsey said anything that places celebrants or law enforcement in jeopardy, vandalism, theft, narcotic violations, rowdy behavior or fighting, throwing projectiles, possession or setting off fireworks, drunkenness, minors consuming or possessing alcohol could all result in an arrest.

In order to reduce the danger, glass or metal containers are prohibited in the Stateline casino core on New Year's Eve as are open containers of alcohol, which are subject to confiscation. The ban doesn't apply to people inside the casinos.

A large percentage of the arrests are people under 21, either for drinking under age or curfew violations.

Curfew goes into effect at midnight, when anyone under 18 is subject to arrest and citation. Anyone under 21 who's been drinking may also be arrested, Halsey said.

The sheriff's office will be at full staff in the rest of the county to handle calls.

Halsey said officers will be looking for intoxicated drivers.

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

Halsey said Douglas County Sheriff's deputies won't be the only law enforcement agency keeping the peace in Stateline tonight.

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 Department and the FBI. Support agencies include the Douglas County Communications Center, Douglas County Road Department, Cal-Trans and the Nevada Department of Transportation. Halsey said the transportation department has been instrumental in assisting the Douglas County Sheriff's Office with clearing and reopening the roadway after past celebrations.