Sheriff's office ready to ring in 2010

Party hat, check. Noisemaker, check. Warm-weather clothing, check.

Open container? Not so fast.

New Year's Eve revelers partying outside at the Stateline casino core who get caught with alcohol can expect to surrender the sauce to law enforcement officers.

Glass or metal containers - whether the contents are coffee or cognac - also are prohibited outside at the casino core and will be confiscated.

If your plans include drunk driving, fighting, breaking curfew, vandalism, minor consuming, or setting off fireworks, bring bail money as well.

Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini, who will be observing his 32nd New Year's Eve at Stateline, said 300 law enforcement officers, support staff and volunteers from California and Nevada will be on hand to supervise the behavior of up to 65,000 partiers at the Lake casino core.

"This is our 30th anniversary for closing down Highway 50," Pierini said.

He said the sheriff's office never plans in advance to close the highway, but sets up a detour through the loop road (Lake Parkway) if the crowd spilling onto Highway 50 becomes a safety issue.

"We started having problems in 1976-77 at Stateline," Pierini said. "In 1978, they completed the loop road and that became an alternate to use on Jan. 1, 1979. "If people wanted to take over the road, we would have an option. There was no way with the size of our department and the resources at that time that we could keep Highway 50 open."

Pierini said the crowds in those days became so unruly, they tried to turn over cars on Highway 50.

In 1992, the department tried to keep the road open, hoping the news would keep people from attending the festivities.

"About 10 minutes to midnight, the crowd was so big and unruly, we had to use the loop road. We have given up on that entire concept to keep the road open. It just isn't worth it. Too many people can get hurt," he said.

Pierini said officers are directed to take a nonconfrontational approach with celebrants.

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

That doesn't mean disruptive and illegal behaviors will be tolerated, Pierini said, or any activities that put celebrants or deputies in danger.

"Acts that will most likely result in an arrest include vandalism, theft, narcotics or alcohol violations, rowdy behavior or fighting, throwing objects, possession or setting off fireworks, minors consuming or possessing alcohol or any other act that disrupts the goal of achieving a peaceful and safe environment for all in attendance," the sheriff said.

Law enforcement officers come from Douglas County, Nevada Highway Patrol, Carson City Sheriff's Office, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriff's Department, California Highway Patrol, Nevada Department of Corrections, Placer County Sheriff's Department and the FBI.

Supporting agencies include Douglas County Communications Center and road department, and the Nevada and California departments of transportation.

"They have been instrumental in assisting the Douglas County Sheriff's Office with cleaning, clearing and reopening the the roadway after past celebrations," Pierini said.

He said volunteers also participate from Douglas County Sheriff's Search and Rescue.

The department budgets $10,000 for New Year's Eve and officers begin patrolling the casino core at 8 p.m.

Pierini said crowds usually disperse by 1 a.m., but additional officers remain in the area until 6 a.m., keeping a watch for drunk drivers.

The sheriff said the age of the average celebrant is 14-25.

He reminded parents that curfew is midnight for anyone under 18. Violators are subject to arrest and/or citation.

"We really discourage kids from showing up. They don't need to be up there," Pierini said.

Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol is subject to arrest as well as minors consuming or in possession of alcohol.

"Parents must be mindful of their children's whereabouts and activities, especially during New Year's. 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," Pierini said.

Pierini said even though the focus is on the Lake, there is a full contingent of law enforcement officers on patrol in Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe neighborhoods, particularly targeting drunk drivers.

In his three decades at the Lake, Pierini said the weather has never hindered celebrants.

Thursday's forecast calls for rain and snow with lows in the upper 20s.

"History will tell you that over 30 years, very, very seldom does it snow on New Year's Eve. This year, snow is predicted, people come no matter what. The only time it helps is if the wind is really blowing and it snows. They might leave or it might deter them from coming," Pierini said.