LAS VEGAS (KSNV MyNews3) -- Local law enforcement is teaming up to look for drunken drivers with all the partying expected for New Year’s in Las Vegas.
The Nevada Highway Patrol has doubled its staffing and just between Friday afternoon and Sunday afternoon on regional freeways had already made 24 arrests.
But the partying has gone on all weekend long and the strip was crowded before the New Year’s Eve shut down of streets. A lot of people have come to Vegas to enjoy the ringing in of the New Year, and estimated 300,000.
“I heard it gets a little wild. I like to get wild, too,” said Kisha Oliver of San Francisco.
“We came here to drink, gamble and everything else,” said Dominique Baker also of San Francisco.
Meanwhile, Marc Camilon and Allyson Lujares came in from opposite sides of the country to enjoy their new romance. They wanted to be for some fun and fireworks.
“I expect it to be like a party -- a lot of people out on the street, just everyone having a good time,” Lujares said.
Law enforcement want people to have a good time, but just make sure they have that good time, if it’s alcohol, out of their systems before they get behind the wheel. Several local law enforcement agencies have teamed up to look out for DUI offenders.
“Every time somebody drives while impaired there is the potential for another fatality and for another tragedy to occur,” said Jose Hernandez of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
“What always goes through my mind is why? It’s never worth it. No matter even if it's the best scenario, which is just getting stopped and arrested, it isn't worth it because it does last a lifetime,” said Trooper Loy Hixson of the Nevada Highway Patrol.
Just between Metro and the Nevada Highway Patrol, they have made well more than 12,000 DUI arrests in Clark County this year, and the year isn’t over yet.
They hope everyone who will be drinking has a plan, and celebrates safely to bring in 2013.
