Police, bar owners prepare for New Year's Eve
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SEATTLE -- Police will add some high-profile patrols in Belltown Saturday night in hopes of keeping a lid on New Year's Eve troublemakers.
By the time Saturday night's fireworks explode overhead, estimates say more than 20,000 people will be celebrating the new year under the Space Needle.
The massive crowds are likely to funnel through Belltown, where bars and restaurants will be ready for the influx of customers.
Extra police will also be out on patrol, either in uniform or in plainclothes.
Police have already staged a command vehicle nearby that will run a series of remote control cameras watching for criminal activity near the Space Needle.
A capacity crowd is expected at Rendezvous, which is hosting a burlesque show to ring in the new year.
Bar owner Tia Matthies said Belltown club owners are making security plans ahead of time, just in case things get out of hand.
"I don't think it's a whole lot less safe than a lot of other neighborhoods, you know, there's just been a lot of focus on this neighborhood," she said.
Belltown resident Aaron Shane isn't convinced and said he'll skip the New Year's Eve mayhem.
"Usually what I see as far as violence is at two o'clock in the morning when the bars are emptying out," Shane said.
After several recent high-profile crimes in the area, police and city leaders say they're working on more lasting solutions for crime in Belltown.
By the time Saturday night's fireworks explode overhead, estimates say more than 20,000 people will be celebrating the new year under the Space Needle.
The massive crowds are likely to funnel through Belltown, where bars and restaurants will be ready for the influx of customers.
Extra police will also be out on patrol, either in uniform or in plainclothes.
Police have already staged a command vehicle nearby that will run a series of remote control cameras watching for criminal activity near the Space Needle.
A capacity crowd is expected at Rendezvous, which is hosting a burlesque show to ring in the new year.
Bar owner Tia Matthies said Belltown club owners are making security plans ahead of time, just in case things get out of hand.
"I don't think it's a whole lot less safe than a lot of other neighborhoods, you know, there's just been a lot of focus on this neighborhood," she said.
Belltown resident Aaron Shane isn't convinced and said he'll skip the New Year's Eve mayhem.
"Usually what I see as far as violence is at two o'clock in the morning when the bars are emptying out," Shane said.
After several recent high-profile crimes in the area, police and city leaders say they're working on more lasting solutions for crime in Belltown.
