Police say New Year’s went great

Friday, Jan. 2, 1998 | 8:39 a.m.

Nevada Highway Patrol trooper Steve Harney said there were no major problems.

"Overall, it was great," Harney said. "Things were very, very safe."

Harney estimated the crowd on the Las Vegas Strip at 200,000, far short of the 300,000 predicted.

The Strip was closed down for six hours, beginning at 9:30 p.m., because of the crush of people wanting to party on the famous boulevard.

Harney said things got a little rowdy in front of O'Shea's, in the heart of the Strip, with several people setting fire to a palm tree.

The patrol made 10 arrests for drunken driving and eight for other violations, Harney said.

Officials had said Wednesday night's celebration would give officers a dress rehearsal for what is expected to be a record crowd in two years when Las Vegas becomes a focal point in celebrating the new millennium.

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