Las Vegas’ iconic Strip may be reintroducing a lawmaker’s controversial crime bill, which some think unjustly targeted the homeless in the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”
According to the Associated Press, the city’s labor unions and titan casinos are jointly backing an amendment to Governor Joe Lombardo’s “Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act” that would reestablish the Resort Corridor Court, which supporters believe made the Las Vegas Strip safer for tourists and workers. The court was established in 2023 but disbanded after a year and a half.
The act reportedly barred over 4,100 assault, petty theft, and drug-related offenders from the Las Vegas Strip for a year, facing possible jail time if caught on the popular street during that time. Via the Resort Corridor Court, it also targeted those on the Strip who weren’t staying at a resort, marking them as loiterers. Subsequently, those who opposed the act believed that it targeted the Strip’s homeless population.
What Else Is There To Know About Gov. Joe Lombardo’s Crime Bill Concerning The Las Vegas Strip?
Supporters of the bill and amendment believe they’ll help tourists and workers feel safer on the Strip. Notably, Las Vegas has seen a significant decline in tourism in the last year. Travel Pulse notes that the dip is due to fewer international visitors and high vacation costs in the city.
The Nevada Resort Association, “the primary advocacy voice for Nevada’s gaming and resort industry,” supports the amendment to Lombardo’s bill. Commenting on the possible return of the Resort Corridor Court, the organization’s president, Virginia Valentine, reportedly said, “It’s important for the safety of our guests and for our employees in the workplace,” adding, “It’s also important for the whole guest experience.”
Opposer Athar Haseebullah, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, reportedly commented on how the Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act can be problematic.
“The reality is that if this is about protecting what’s happening inside of resorts, that’s one thing, because it’s private property, but we’re talking about people who are on the street,” he noted. “And targeted enforcement actions towards people who resort properties may deem undesirable is not in line with how the Constitution should operate.”
