Sandoval: Security presence to beef up for New Year’s Eve in wake of recent attacks

State and local officials confirmed Wednesday that New Year's Eve security on the Las Vegas Strip and Fremont Street will beef up from previous years following recent attacks such as those in Paris.

The Nevada National Guard's presence will more than double: 168 soldiers will assist about 1,500 local law enforcement officials for the celebration, compared with the 65 soldiers and airmen who assisted last year. The mobilization was requested about three days ago, said Gov. Brian Sandoval after a Nevada Commission of Homeland Security meeting, and Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said "all pockets" of Las Vegas Boulevard will be covered.

"In preparation for New Year's Eve, I think it's probably the largest celebration in the United States," Sandoval said Wednesday evening. "We're prepared, we're organized and we're ready."

Lombardo said the valley faces no specific or credible threats, "but all you have to do is look across the nation and the globe to see that the terrorism rhetoric and/or actions are increasing, so in reaction to that, we are increasing."

Twenty-four Nevada Guard members will be working with Metro, 100 will be working with Clark County, and 44 will be stationed at the airport. A host of cameras will conduct surveillance too.

Sandoval requested federal funding to cover the mobilization, but an approval for that will be pending until next year.

The afternoon meeting happened as the shooting events in San Bernardino unfolded, which Sandoval called "devastating."

"We never know what's going to happen," Sandoval said, "but we have to cover as many bases as you can anticipate and expect."

Contact Rachel Crosby at rcrosby@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290. Find her on Twitter: @rachelacrosby