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Police, city leaders prepare for record New Year's Eve crowds on Las Vegas Strip

Posted at 6:13 PM, Dec 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-15 21:35:08-05
The countdown is on to New Year's Eve in Las Vegas.
 
With a record number of people expected on the Strip, security is once again a top priority.
 
City leaders are confident that 12 months of planning between police, fire and rescue crews, and hotel security will keep everyone safe.
 
 
"They have triage centers set up, but they're just constantly meeting and planning for this," said Mayor Carolyn Goodman. "This has to be comprehensive down the Strip."
 
Goodman expects about 50,000 more people on the Strip than on a typical weekend, bringing the total to 400,000.
 
Las Vegas Events hosts "America's Party," and its president, Pat Christenson, says the set-up is the key to managing the crowds.
 
"They've created a corridor [on Las Vegas Boulevard]," Christenson said. "They barricade the whole middle so all the officers are all there so you feel secure and at the same time, it creates a mall so people can move."
 
Click here for a list of items banned from the Strip during the festivities.
 
It includes backpacks, large bags and strollers.
 
Just before midnight, the celebrations will include a fireworks show that goes off from the rooftops of seven hotel-casinos, from the Stratosphere to MGM Grand.
 
"There is nothing more explosive, more entertaining," Goodman said.
 
Scott Cooper with Fireworks by Grucci, the company that puts on the show, says 2,400 hours of work go in to designing and setting up the display that lasts eight minutes.
 
The music was carefully selected too as a tribute to artists who have played in Las Vegas, as well as to the musicians who died this year.
 
"Let's Go Crazy" by Prince closes the show.
 
For people off the Strip, there's an app available for download called "Fireworks by Grucci."
 
It plays the music on your smartphone, synced up to the light show.