World revels under watchful eyes

NEW YORK — Nearly 1 million revelers rang in 2004 with the dropping of the traditional New Year’s Eve ball in Times Square — a joyous, confetti-filled bash that took place under some of the tightest security ever seen.

With snipers posted on rooftops and helicopters patrolling overhead, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and his guest of honor, former Iraq prisoner of war Shoshana Johnson, pressed a small globe, sending the 1,070-pound crystal ball on a 60-second drop that culminated at the stroke of midnight.

“It was brilliant. Everyone was so worried about everything, and now everything is good,” said Tanya Starkin, a 23-year-old waitress from Ireland, as fireworks lit up the New York sky.

The invoking of Orange Alert, second only to Red Alert, prompted towns and cities across the country to strengthen police patrols, order aerial surveillance and activate technology to detect chemical, biological or radiological contamination.

In the District, the heightened security, including the addition of surveillance cameras to the city’s permanent 14-camera network, did not keep partygoers out of the District or discourage First Night revelers in Annapolis, Alexandria and Leesburg.

The clubs of Adams Morgan, Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria were crowded with revelers, encouraged by last night’s mild weather.

“It’s wonderful,” said 28-year-old Rebecca Valois, who was in Alexandria, which had a 34-stage alcohol-free street party with bands, puppet shows and a children’s choir. “It’s not freezing and no umbrellas.”

“It’s just pint-sized fun,” said Paula Hansen, who was in Alexandria with husband Todd and their children, 18-month-old Julia and Jordon, 5.

The Metropolitan Police Department and Alexandria police reported no major party-related incidents as of early last night. Metro police joined federal and other law-enforcement officials in a joint command center.

Organizers of the Times Square party, the nation’s largest and most-watched, said last night’s celebration drew more than the 750,000 people who watched last year as a giant Waterford crystal ball dropped at the stroke of midnight.

“You can’t let them spoil the party, right?” said Mike Riley of Huntsville, Ala., who was among the first to show up to claim a place in Times Square yesterday morning. “Everybody in the world watches it on television, and since I was little, I wanted to be in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.”

“We’ve never had a crowd this size before,” Mr. Bloomberg said. “It’s a dangerous world we live in, and we have to adjust to that, but that doesn’t mean the terrorists are going to keep us [from] going about our business.”

Metal detectors were brought in, manhole covers were sealed, and mailboxes, trash cans and newspaper boxes were banished. Police readied seven helicopters to patrol above the crowd and assigned more officers to be on duty this year than last, though they declined to give numbers.

“We know that New York remains at the top of the terrorists’ target list and we have to remain vigilant,” Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.

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