WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – There are only a few days until the
ball will drop to mark the end of a year and the beginning of another.
City leaders expect nearly 10,000 people to fill downtown
Wilmington, including about 300 military visitors from Canada who are currently
training at Camp Lejeune.
"It's important that we really roll out the red carpet and
have a good time with them," said John Hinnant with Wilmington Downtown, Inc.
The Canadian soldiers will be transported to downtown
Wilmington by bus for the end of year celebration, which will help boost the
area's year-long economy.
"I look at this at more of
an economic development perspective in that we get to showcase Wilmington to
the international community," explained Hinnant.
Soldiers will be able to shop, eat and explore the area –
along with thousands of others. Many are
relying on the influx of people to boost business and the Wilmington Police
Department will beef up their patrol.
"Any weekend downtown is busy," said Cpt. Jeff
Allsbrooks. "We have thousands of people
down there, and of course when the bars close we have a spike in our call for
services."
WPD said each event or holiday teaches them new techniques
for ways to keep the peace, and they hope this year will be better than the
last.
The Canadian soldiers will be bused back to Camp Lejeune
around 1:00 a.m. New Year's Day. Both city
leaders and the WPD don't foresee a problem getting the hundreds of soldiers
back on a bus.
They also agreed that catching a cab in downtown Wilmington
can be one of the biggest issues. They
advise having a plan ahead of time for getting home by designating a sober
driver.
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