Las Vegas Strip needs its crime court back — and fast!

By Kelly Chapman  

Nevada News and Views

When people visit Las Vegas, they come for the shows, the casinos, the food, and the lights of the Strip.

What they don’t come for is being hassled by repeat criminals, drug pushers, or aggressive panhandlers.

That’s why Nevada made a smart move back in 2023 when it launched the Resort Corridor Court.

And it’s why we should bring it back — either in a special session later this year if the governor calls one or when the Legislature meets again in 2027.

Why the Court Was Created

The Resort Corridor Court was set up to handle the unique problems on the Strip.

We’re talking about petty theft, fights, open drug use, and loitering.

Tourists who save up for years to visit Las Vegas should not have to deal with that nonsense.

The court gave judges the power to issue “order-out” provisions, which banned offenders from returning to the Strip for up to a year.

If they came back and caused trouble again, they could be arrested.

In just the first three months, judges issued around 300 stay-away orders.

This wasn’t about locking everyone up. It was about making sure the same people didn’t keep cycling through the system and turning the Strip into a playground for crime.

Did It Work?

Yes, it did.

According to Metro Police, violent and sexual crimes on the Strip dropped by 17 percent in the last year the court was operating.

That is no small thing when you’re talking about the heart of our tourism economy.

Hospitality leaders, hotel operators, and even the Culinary Workers Union supported the court. They saw firsthand how it made a difference for workers, guests, and the community.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson and Sheriff Kevin McMahill also backed the program, saying it gave prosecutors and police a clear path to deal with repeat offenders.

Who Opposed It?

Not everyone was on board.

The ACLU of Nevada and the Clark County Public Defender’s Office argued the court was unfair.

They said it targeted homeless individuals and created what they called a “plea factory.”

They also claimed the stay-away orders violated free speech because the Strip is considered a public forum.

Those concerns deserve to be heard.

But here’s the bottom line: protecting the safety of millions of visitors and the thousands of workers who make the Strip run should come first.

Tourists have choices. If they hear that the Strip isn’t safe, they’ll go somewhere else.

That means fewer jobs and less revenue for Nevada families.

Why Ending It Was a Mistake

In November 2024, the court was shut down. The cases were spread back out across eight regular courtrooms.

The idea was to copy a model from the City of Las Vegas that supposedly used resources more efficiently. But that decision left many scratching their heads.

Even with crime numbers down, the problems didn’t vanish.

You still hear complaints from tourists about aggressive behavior, drug dealing, and unsafe conditions.

Go online and you’ll see reviews warning people about crime on the Strip.

That hurts our reputation, and in a town built on tourism, reputation is everything.

What Should Happen Next

There was an attempt to revive the court with a last-minute amendment in the 2025 legislative session, but it didn’t get across the finish line.

That effort shows there’s still strong interest in bringing it back.

Governor Joe Lombardo has the authority to call a special session if he chooses.

If he does, the Resort Corridor Court should be near the top of the list. If not, lawmakers should make it a priority when they return in 2027.

This is not about politics. It’s about common sense.

Nevada’s economy depends on keeping the Strip safe, clean, and welcoming. If we don’t take action, we risk losing the very thing that keeps our state running.

Final Word

Critics will keep saying the court was too harsh. But most Nevadans know that when crime goes down, everyone benefits.

Workers feel safer, tourists spend more, and families have more opportunities.

The Resort Corridor Court wasn’t perfect, but it worked.

It gave law enforcement a tool that made the Strip safer. Now is the time to bring it back — before small problems turn into big ones.

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Kelly Chapman is the executive director of the Nevada Business Alliance, a candidate for Nevada Assembly District 8, and a 46-year resident of Las Vegas. You can reach her at NevadaBizAlliance@gmail.com or (702) 483-0186. You can follow her on Twitter/X here: @Chapman4Nevada.