Although Times Square looks like a great place to party on New Year's Eve, you will not find me there.

Several years ago, long before Rudy Gulliani was the mayor of New York, I attended a party in an office that over looked Times Square. The crowds that gathered were awesome. People were packed in shoulder to shoulder for blocks. If you have never seen that many people in one place at the same time it is sight to see. In those days, city events were not planned that well and there was open drinking, drugs and whatever going on. Occassionally you would see someone throw fireworks into the crowd and people scattering and getting hurt. Bottles were thrown, more injuries and stampedes. The police were helpless and could not control the large crowd. Within 5 minutes after midnight the streets were empty, it was a very dangerous place.

Rudy put things back in control, it is a much different event these days. I would say it is now safe to be in Times Square on New Year's eve, well at lease as safe as anything could be these days. But, I would much rather watch the event on TV from my home or from a friend's home then be out in that crowd.