50,000 revelers expected for New Year's at Tahoe's south shore

Sheriff Ron Pierini, a veteran of nearly 25 New Year's Eves, says the emphasis will again be on safety while allowing revelers a fair amount of leeway as they welcome 2001.

"We do not want to be adversaries. We're probably going to have 50,000 people and most of them are just there to have a good time. As long as we can work with the crowd to keep the temperament down, we have fewer problems, fewer arrests and less destruction of property," Pierini said.

Pierini budgets $10,000 a year for July 4 and New Year's Eve crowd control at the lake, The Record-Courier in Gardnerville reported.

The sheriff calls on his most seasoned officers to head six-person squads scattered throughout the casino core. Three hundred officers from Douglas County, the Nevada Highway Patrol, Carson City, the Nevada State Prison, South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County and the California Highway Patrol will be assigned to the area.

"Our officers understand there is a lot of tension out there with 50,000 to 60,000 people. A lot of the people are intoxicated, it's a dangerous area. There is tension and the possibility of people fighting or otherwise putting themselves and others in danger."

But while patrolling is no fun, the sheriff said it beats being on the other side.

"Getting arrested is not a very good way to celebrate New Year's Eve," Pierini said. "After you are picked up, it will be two to three hours before you can even be released. And, depending on the offense, the bail will be a couple hundred dollars."

District Attorney Scott Doyle and a deputy DA are on the scene to process offenders. Tahoe Township Justice Steve McMorris is on call.

Last year saw sixty-eight adults and nine juveniles arrested.

Every year, Pierini hopes for snow on New Year's Eve, but so far, his prayers have gone unanswered.

"We talk about it every year - about what might happen if it was snowing, windy and miserable - but as of yet, it hasn't happened," he said. "The last couple of years, it has been fairly warm and mild."

This year's forecast says people at the lake will need to bundle up against readings in the teens. But they can leave the boots at home.

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