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Y2K worries Police less than revelry BY JESSICA SMITH Local law enforcement agencies typically boost patrols at the New Year, but the once-in-a-millennium event that's just a week away has been cause for earnest planning in the region. And while many law officials say they don't expect mayhem to break loose at the stroke of midnight on Jan. 1, they also say it's better to be safe than sorry. "I don't think anyone knows what's going to happen, but agencies all over are getting prepared ... just in case the sky starts falling," said Jackson County Sheriff's Sgt. Terry Wilson. "I think we're as ready as we can be." Sheriff's deputies and local police officers will be out in large numbers New Year's Eve, with many departments beefing up patrols several days before the main event. In Ashland, as many as 17 police personnel will be on hand when the New Year rings in. The Oregon State Police will send 13 patrol cars out locally on state roads and highways to keep drivers safe, and the sheriff's office and Medford Police Department also plan to increase their presence during the holiday. Although law enforcement agencies will run larger late-night crews, officials say New Year's revelry, not the so-called millennium bug, will likely be the cause of any holiday disruptions. "The problems we're concerned about aren't equipment-based, they're more behavior-based," said Ashland Police Capt. Lisa Brooks. "We just don't know what to expect." It's been widely speculated the year 2000 could wreak havoc on information, transportation and other systems that are run by computers. The fear is that some computer microchips will confuse Jan. 1, 2000, with Jan. 1, 1900. However, government agencies and utility providers have offered assurances that their systems will come through the calendar switch unscathed. The fact that no one knows just what will happen as New Year's Eve turns to New Year's Day has prompted several local utility companies, municipalities and law agencies to band together for trouble-shooting during the holiday weekend. An emergency operations center at the Jackson County Courthouse will be established at 7 p.m. Dec. 31. The center -- a management network of sorts -- will allow officials to track potential disruptions in the area and streamline responses to needs in the community. Another emergency operations center will be established New Year's Eve at the Ashland Civic Center on East Main Street. Officials at various agencies say they have prepared strategies for worst-case scenarios -- such as setting up emergency shelters in the event of widespread and prolonged power outages -- but many say they don't expect these types of problems. "There's no reason for us to believe something like that will be needed for the New Year," said Randy Schoen, Medford deputy police chief. However, the Rogue Valley chapter of the American Red Cross has emergency shelter agreements with 500 churches, schools and governmental offices in Jackson and Josephine counties. Should a shelter be needed, Emergency Services Coordinator Cindy Lucas said her office would determine where to open it, based on the location of the emergency and the number of those affected. Two possible shelter locations -- the National Guard armories in Medford and Ashland -- will be staffed during the New Year, but an official there said they would be prohibited from opening a shelter without approval from the governor's office in Salem. If shelters are needed, details will be shared over the Emergency Broadcast System, Lucas said. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA