No major crime on S. Shore on New Year’s Eve

South Lake Tahoe police officers are reporting fewer arrests during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, while Douglas County sheriff’s deputies are reporting more compared to a year ago.

Between 12:01am Dec. 31 and 3pm Jan. 1, there were seven arrests in South Lake Tahoe. Most people were taken into custody for being drunk or disorderly in public. Fourteen people were arrested in the 48-hour holiday period in the city last year.

Thousands rang in the New Year at SnowGlobe in South Lake Tahoe. Photo/Lesia Witkowsky

“Although the city was quite full with holiday revelers, the number of calls for emergency police responses was fewer this year than during many past years,” Lt. Brian Williams said in a press release. “While the SnowGlobe festival has generated thousands of attendees over the past three years, the number of arrests generated there have not caused an overall uptick in arrest stats. Numbers of arrests have ranged from a high of 39 in 2001-02 to a low of seven this year.”

In Douglas County, 24 people were arrested in the Stateline casino area. Charges included assault, affray, domestic battery, disorderly conduct, minor consuming alcohol and civil protective custody. Last year, 14 people were arrested.

Highway 50 by the casinos was closed to motorists from 11pm Dec. 31 to 1am Jan. 1 because of the thousands of people who filled the streets.

Nevada Highway Patrol officers arrested five people in Northern Nevada for driving under the influence. Seven faced DUI charges a year ago. Troopers responded to six collisions; four were property damage events, two involved non-life-threatening injuries.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report