Las Vegas has been a hot spot for tourism for as long as I can remember. Bright lights, sunny skies, and casinos have attracted people from all over the world. However, tourism has reached an all-time low in Sin City. Now, in an attempt to revive their once-high tourism numbers, Las Vegas officials are discussing the possibility of banning criminals from the Strip.
Las Vegas Officials Try To Revive Tourism By Banning Criminals
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The NY Post shares that Las Vegas tourism has taken a hit. While Sin City still had just "over 3 million visitors" this past September, it is dramatically less than usual. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority shared that this number is an "8.8% decrease from the same time last year." One of the factors contributing to the decline in tourists is crime.
In a way, it makes sense, in a place called Sin City with tons of alcohol, gambling, and nightlife, crime easily brews. The NY Post reported that Las Vegas officials established a specialized court in 2022 to handle specific offenses. Some of those offenses included petty theft, assault, drug violations, and loitering. Those who were found guilty of the crimes were then banned from the Strip for a year.
Despite its good intentions, the specialized Resort Corridor Court faced issues with its legality and was eventually disbanded. However, it is now making a comeback.
New Crime Package May Help Las Vegas Tourism
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo has discussed his plans for a new crime package. The crim package aims to clean up the streets and reduce crime, making it safer for both citizens and tourists. Many casino and resort owners are in favor of this package. Under this new package, the "crime bill would allow courts to ban certain criminal offenders from the resort corridor for up to a year."
Many are in favor of this act as they feel it would help protect workers along the Strip. Not only that, but statistics show that if tourists do not feel safe in an area, they will not visit. Instead, they will take their business elsewhere. While Las Vegas police diligently worked on violent crime, the Post shared that "shoplifting rose 12.6%." There is still work to be done, and many believe that banning criminals would be a significant first step in the right direction.
