CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In true Queen City fashion, the first seconds of 2018 will be spent cheering a lit crown over uptown Charlotte.
While residents focus on the fun, officials with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said they will be busy making sure everyone is safe.
"We watch the events around the world and around the nation and those kinds of things. We try to build on and mitigate against what could happen here in Charlotte," Maj. Gerald Smith said.
CMPD officials said they will have extra officers in uptown on bikes, motorcycles and walking around with patrol rifles, focusing on disorderly behavior. Other officers will be enforcing the city's curfew for juveniles.
Police are also planning on parking large trucks and using barriers to protect party-goers from traffic, officials said.
Romare Bearden Park, where the crown lighting will take place, is tucked between several luxury apartment complexes. CMPD officials said officers will be in vacant units keeping an eye from sky.
Smith said there aren't any threats to the event, but CMPD's big concern is unpredictable.
"We do what we can to make it a safe event, but there is always the unknown factor that we will be on the lookout for," Smith said.
Officials estimate around 6,000 people will be in uptown for the crown-lighting. Police also plan on directing traffic after the event to help people exit Center City safely.
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