Henry de Vere White owns De Vere’s Irish Pub.  He says he’s hired off-duty police officers and private security to make sure the party doesn’t turn chaotic, like K Street’s big Times Square-style ball drop did on New Years Eve. 
 
de Vere White: “The city really is taking it seriously that they want to become a destination city.  And for that, you need destination events, and there’s a lot of pressure on us to perform and make sure this is a safe event.” 
 
A Sac PD spokesman says the event will likely be safer than New Years Eve because it costs money to get in – and the organizers will limit attendance.
 
The block party starts Tuesday morning and won’t close until 2am Wednesday.  It’s 21-and-up after 1pm.  There’ll be food, drinks and live music.