CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The start of the New Year is hours away and police are trying to make sure it will be a safe start for everyone who attends the First Night celebration in uptown Charlotte.
Nearly 25,000 people attended the event last year and organizers expect an even bigger crowd to ring in 2010.
Between all the revelers and the music, you're likely to see lots of cops.
"On foot, bike, Segway, police cars -- we'll have the sky watch towers out, transit platforms fully manned, transit center manned, camera room staffed up," said Capt. Jeff Estes with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Estes says more than 100 officers will be on duty. He says presence is important, but he also says officers will look to head of problems before they start.
"Once a large crowd masses, even if it's just to look at a fight or whatever, then we're on the defensive and we've already lost the initiative. So we've learned that we interact often and early -- friendly, courteous, professional, but also we get down to business if we have to," Estes said.
On Wednesday afternoon crews worked on the crown that will ascend at Tryon Street and be illuminated at midnight, marking the start of the New Year.
Crews also put the finishing touching on the dozens of venues that are expected to get a lot of foot traffic.
"You get here at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. There is something for everyone, starting at 3 all the way to midnight," said Robert Krumbine with Center City Partners.
Estes says the number of arrests at these big events has declined from 175 three years ago to between 25 and 50 now.
"I think we're really in great shape," Krumbine said. "It's the safest place to be any day of the year."
If you plan to attend the event, officers say that parking on the street won't be allowed, but several parking lots and decks will be open. Police also say keep an eye on your children and teens, because they will be enforcing an 11 p.m. curfew for children under 16.
For more information on the First Night Charlotte event, visit www.firstnightcharlotte.com.
