Open containers, kids not welcome at Stateline party

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - Law enforcement agencies issued several warnings this week to those who plan to celebrate the arrival of 2010 at South Shore tonight.

The unofficial street party attracts tens of thousands of revelers to the casino corridor each New Year's Eve. South Shore law enforcement agencies arrested about 40 people last New Year's Eve, most for fighting or alcohol-related offenses.

Like previous years, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office will adopt a "non-confrontational" approach to enforcement during the celebration, said Sgt. Jim Halsey in a statement. The Sheriff's Office is one of eight law enforcement agencies that will be on hand at the street party.

Open containers of alcohol, as well as glass or metal containers of any kind, are prohibited in the casino corridor during the New Year's Eve celebration, Halsey said.

Children and teenagers are also discouraged from attending the celebration. Douglas County Sheriff's will enforce a midnight curfew for people under 18. South Lake Tahoe police will enforce a

10 p.m. curfew, said South Lake Tahoe Police Lt. David Stevenson.

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

Warnings also have been issued to motorists who plan to travel through the casino corridor tonight.

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

"Drivers anticipating traveling through the Stateline casino core area on New Year's Eve should allow themselves an additional 30 minutes of travel time. 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," Halsey added.

When the highway is closed, traffic is rerouted around the casino corridor using upper and lower Lake Parkway.

Last year, law enforcement agencies closed Highway 50 from about 9:30 p.m. to to

1 a.m. to accommodate the celebration.

South Lake Tahoe Police Lt. David Stevenson said he doesn't expect inclement weather to diminish this year's numbers.

"They're out there partying no matter what," Stevenson said. "(Weather) usually shortens the duration, but I haven't had a year where they're not out there."

Although estimating the number of people who will attend the annual celebration is difficult, a steady stream of eastbound traffic on Highway 50 though South Lake Tahoe this week hints that this could be a busy year.

Pierini estimated 45,000 people filled the casino corridor last year.