Las Vegas NowLas Vegas Expects 300,000 to Ring in 2006

Las Vegas Expects 300,000 to Ring in 2006

More than 300,000 people are expected to celebrate New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. Protecting all of those people can be tricky, especially since Las Vegas is such a high profile city and that means extra security planning.

You will see some of the security above ground. But Metro and the National Guard will also be underground guarding the sewer and wash system under Las Vegas Boulevard. It's all part of the coordination to keep all those people safe.

Casinos up and down the Las Vegas Strip expect a full house. Mike Mecca, President and CEO for Aladdin/Planet Hollywood said, "We are anticipating 100-percent occupied in the hotel. We have 2600 rooms. We will have 5,000 people staying here at the Aladdin."

Mike Mecca knows that number does not include tens of thousands more people coming in the doors to gamble and party and he leaves the protection of those guests to Cal Abercrombie, Director of Security. He said, "We will be out there in force. Try to make sure everybody has a pleasurable and safe holiday,"

Abercrombie coordinates New Year's Eve security with Metro police and other casino security directors. More cars will be checked going into the hotels. Other casino employees have been asked to alert security to anything suspicious. "Everyone here is going to a 12-hour shift. We will have considerable staff throughout the property, access control throughout the property and we will be adequately staffed in all areas," Abercrombie said.

Similar procedures are in place at the other large casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.

Clark County Sheriff Bill Young heads the overall security this weekend. The sheriff says while there are no specific threats against Las Vegas, his officers will spread out across the valley. Sheriff Young said, "The sources are not coming back with, oh this is going to be the end of the New Year's Eve party in Las Vegas, or they are going to do this or they are going to do that, but I don't want to get lulled to sleep."

Abercrombie and his security will also stay alert. He's using the same security plan from last year's celebration but this year he is increasing the number of people working.

There will be a lot of eyes watching the crowds. Preparation from casinos and Metro for this year's security started months ago.

Contact Reporter Edward Lawrence