Las Vegas officials weigh banning criminal offenders from Strip to revive tourism

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A disbanded court inLas Vegasmay come back to life as lawmakers look to attract visitors to revive Sin City tourism.

Vegas tourism has continued to decline, with just over3 million visitorsin September, an 8.8% decrease from the same time last year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCA).

A specialized court was created in 2022 to handle offenses such as petty theft, assault, drug violations and loitering, with penalties including banning offenders from the Strip for a year.

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The Resort Corridor Court, however, was disbanded less than two years later after judges raised concerns about its legality.

Supporters of the unique court — mainly casino andresort owners— have backed an amendment to Nevada Gov.Joe Lombardo’s new crime package, The Associated Press reported.

Nevada’s unique Resort Corridor Court could return after being disbanded.(iStock)

The Resort Corridor Court was the first and only of its kind — an entity just for crime outside tourist hot spots, AP said.

Nevada Resort Association president Virginia Valentine told the outlet the move to revive it is necessary.

safety of our guestsand for our employees in the workplace,” said Valentine.

Workers’ unions are also backing the amendment, calling for better safety practices.

People eating outside at Mon Ami Gabi in Las Vegas.

The specialized court was created several years ago.The goal was to handle crime on the Strip, with the possibility of banning offenders for a year.

Culinary UnionLocal 226 secretary-treasurer Ted Pappageorge told AP the court would help deter crime by protecting workers.

Pappageorge emphasized the importance of customer safety to sustain the local economy.

Violent crime in Vegas is down 3.5% from the same time last year, while shoplifting rose 12.6%, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.(iStock)

Whileviolent crimeis down 3.5% from the same time last year, shoplifting rose 12.6% and purse snatching went down 17.9%, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Rick Harrison of the Gold &�skewed.”

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“You have all of Clark County here and that is the population you get, but sometimes you almost double the population, [given] the amount of tourists,” said Harrison.

He added of the police, “I think Metro and Las Vegas do an unbelievably good job.”

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Republican Lombardo’s crime package, called the “Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act,” also proposes increased penalties for repeat offenders as well as a long list of crimes, including smash-and-grab robberies, possession of child pornography, assault and battery against hospitality employees, and DUIs involving death, according to AP.

It also would expand crimes such as stalking to include cyberstalking.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Ashley J.