400,000 expected at Las Vegas’ New Year’s celebrations
Police expect 400,000 people to descend on Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve, culminating in a bash that the city has coined “America’s Party.”
The roads surrounding the Las Vegas Strip will begin to close in the evening, and at midnight, fireworks will launch from the roofs of nine resorts, first responders said at a briefing Wednesday afternoon.
Preparations for New Year’s Eve began immediately after locals and visitors rang in 2024, Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Sheriff Yasenia Yatomi said.
“We do know how to do large events right here in Las Vegas,” Yatomi said.
Special ordinances
As concerts, parties and fireworks take over the Strip and the Fremont Street Experience, a “large law enforcement footprint” will be enforcing ordinances specific to New Year’s Eve that all party-goers need to know about, Yatomi said.
From 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 6 a.m. on Jan. 1, glass bottles, large bags and carts or strollers of any kind will be banned.
Large bags include luggage, diaper bags, computer bags or any items larger than 12 by 12 by 6 inches, police said.
“Our focus is to educate before we enforce,” Yatomi said. Anyone seen with these items will first be stopped and warned, but if someone refuses to remove the item, it could be confiscated.
Road closures
Motorists can expect road closures, particularly surrounding the Strip, to begin in the evening.
The Interstate 15 off-ramps at Flamingo Road and Tropicana Avenue will be shut down in both directions at 5:30 p.m., with road closures on the Strip running from Spring Mountain Road to Reno Avenue beginning at 6:30 p.m, according to police.
By 8 p.m. Las Vegas Boulevard will be “completely shut down to all vehicular traffic,” Yatomi said. Spring Mountain Road and Russell Avenue will remain open to traffic, and the off-ramps at Spring Mountain Road will not be impacted by closures.
Fireworks
The eight-minute firework display launching from the roofs of some of Las Vegas’ most iconic resorts will be orchestrated from a command center at the Rio, according to Clark County Commission Vice Chair William McCurdy II.
But if there are illegal fireworks in other neighborhoods, Clark County Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Billy Samuels urged residents to report them by calling 311.
Robert Nolan, Senior Deputy Chief for City of Las Vegas Fire, asked that callers do not tie up the 911 call line for illegal fireworks unless they are calling to report a fire.
A ‘perfected’ operation
The city and county also have plans in place for after the clock strikes midnight.
McCurdy said that the collection of 10 to 12 tons of trash after the festivities end is an operation that has been ‘perfected’ by street sweepers over time.
As the party winds down, Yatomi urged people not to drink and drive. “We have lost too many senseless lives,” she said. “We can do this. We can have a great, safe New Year’s Eve without one more death.”
Contact Estelle Atkinson at eatkinson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @estelleatkinson.bsky.social on Bluesky and @estellelilym on X.