Saturday, January 01, 2000
Beefed-up police have little to do
BY HOWARD WILKINSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Tristate law enforcement agencies were ready for anything New Year's Eve, with beefed-up patrols and a highly visible street presence, but as midnight passed they had little to do.
In Newport, where thousands gathered for the ringing of the World Peace Bell, about 65 police officers — augmented by an 18-member contingent of the Kentucky National Guard — patrolled the celebration area and worked the admission gates early Friday night, but there was no report of arrests or disturbances.
“We're just here to keep the peace, see that there's no fights and make sure nothing gets out of hand,” said Newport Police Officer Dave Garnick.
The crowds were smaller than expected in Newport, where the Peace Bell celebration was an alcohol-free event.
The peace and quiet were much the same throughout the Tristate as people waited for the new year.
In Cincinnati, the police division had boosted patrols, particularly on downtown streets where people were expected to gather. By the time midnight rang in the new year, all was quiet on city streets.
Just before midnight, Cincinnati Police Chief Thomas Streicher said New Year's Eve was surprisingly quiet, with very little of the drunken revelry associated with past celebrations.
After driving throughout Cincinnati, he said streets appeared still and without any spontaneous celebrations spilling out into neighborhoods.
But Chief Streicher said many problems could surface after the clock struck 12.
“It usually doesn't roll out until after midnight,” he said.
In a post-midnight briefing, Cincinnati City Manager John Shirey said an initial check of all the city's safety systems showed no problems.
“I hate to tell you this, but this has turned out to be something of a nonevent,” Mr. Shirey said.
The city's 911 lines, cellular phone lines, power systems and traffic lights were checked and no problems found, Mr. Shirey said. Crews were standing by, he said, to deliver stop signs to intersections in case traffic lights went out.
In Cincinnati and Hamilton, police had random reports of residents firing off guns after the clock struck midnight.
In Hamilton, Bob Gordon, communications manager of the city's 911 system, said most turned out to be fireworks.
Mr. Shirey said the reports of people firing guns in the air “happens every New Year's Eve and this is nothing different.”
In Warren County, Capt. Don Fugate of the Union Township/South Lebanon Fire Department said his department had asked the township trustees for funds to rent equipment — generators, portable toilets and portable propane heaters. A water-hauling company donated a truckload of drinking water.
All also was quiet in Northern Kentucky.
The Boone County Emergency Operations Center in Florence opened at 8 a.m. to provide information about Y2K preparedness. About 3 p.m., the staff of three had fielded fewer than five calls on a hot line.
Most were merely curious and wanted to know the center's capabilities, said Dan Maher, deputy with Boone County Emergency Management.
Susan Vela, Tanya Albert, Janet Wetzel, Robert Anglen, Dana DiFilippo and Spencer Hunt contributed to this report.
Peace Bell rings in New Year for Tristaters
Glitter, music, gourmet feasts and champagne
Y2K? Pass the pizza
Beefed-up police have little to do
Class of '00 is aglow with knowing
City's new face emerging
Holiday gas price hikes draw county officials' fire
Airport enjoys decade of expansion
Father of Calif. gov dies in Montgomery
Fumes accompany warehouse fire
Silence of alarms questioned in fire
Fireman hurt, 2 dogs die in blaze
Culbertson remembered as gifted surgeon
Historic home to welcome new era
TRISTATE DIGEST
