Reno’s Hot August Nights provides hot time for cops

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 1997 | 8:49 a.m.

An estimated 150,000 people attended Hot August Nights, the area's annual tribute to the '50s and '60s that ended on Sunday.

"I would say we definitely hit our expectations for people. Maybe a little more," said Jane Palmer, city special events manager. "This event pumps millions into the city and this was the best year."

For Reno police, the five-day fling was a busy one. Officers arrested 392 people in the downtown area during the event, Police Chief Jerry Hoover said on Monday.

Offenses ranged from civil protection custody of grossly intoxicated revelers to disturbing the peace and a variety of mostly misdemeanor violations.

Sixty-eight of those arrested were juveniles.

Hoover said each night, 85-100 officers were assigned on overtime to Hot August Nights related events. Those officers were in addition to the 40 to 60 officers on regular patrol and traffic details.

Overtime costs were estimated at $120,000. Of that, $50,000 was coming from the Reno Redevelopment Agency, $30,000 from Hot August Nights and about $20,000 from downtown businesses, Hoover said.

The rest was being paid for by the city of Reno.

Crowds were larger this year, and police noticed a particular increase in the number of 18 to 20-year-olds who either slept in vehicles or stayed up all night because they did not have rented rooms, Hoover said.

Still, police said changes from previous years, such as the elimination of on-street beer sales and moving live bands inside, helped in crowd control efforts.

"These changes had a positive impact on limiting street disturbances," the department said.

Coordinating next year's event is already under way, with police, city staff, the Downtown Improvement Association and Hot August Nights officials planning to meet monthly in preparation.