The Strip is under siege — Here’s the common-sense fix

By Kelly Chapman  

Nevada News and Views

The Las Vegas Strip isn’t just flashing lights and big-name shows. It’s the beating heart of Nevada’s economy.

More than 40 million people visit every year, and the dollars they spend help keep taxes lower and jobs steady across the state. But there’s a problem.

Crime — big or small — scares people away. And when visitors don’t feel safe, Nevada pays the price.

That’s why many in the hospitality industry, along with local officials, are pushing to bring back the Resort Corridor Court (RCC).

This special court, launched in 2023, handled cases from the Strip and surrounding areas. Its goal was to crack down on repeat offenders and keep the tourist corridor safe.

How the Court Worked

The RCC focused on low-level but disruptive crimes — things like pickpocketing, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, and trespassing.

If someone was convicted more than once, judges could issue “order-outs.” That meant offenders were banned from the Strip for up to a year.

Supporters say it was working. Metro police reported a 17 percent drop in violent and sexual crimes during the RCC’s operation.

Tourists and locals alike felt the Strip was safer, and businesses noticed fewer problems with troublemakers coming back again and again.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill and District Attorney Steve Wolfson both backed the court. Wolfson praised the setup because one judge, prosecutor, and public defender handled all the Strip cases, making justice quicker and more consistent.

Why It Was Shut Down

The RCC didn’t last. By late 2024, it was dissolved.

Critics said it targeted the homeless and didn’t do enough to fix root causes like addiction or poverty. Public Defender Erica Webb argued that the bans criminalized poverty without solving anything.

The other issue was resources — running a dedicated court takes staff and money, and leaders decided not to keep it going.

Why Supporters Want It Back

Even though crime numbers dropped, high-profile incidents still made headlines.

Tourists complained about aggressive panhandlers, scams, and thefts. Online reviews and news reports shape how people think about Las Vegas, and negative stories hurt the city’s image.

That’s why groups like the Nevada Resort Association and the powerful Culinary Union Local 226 say the RCC should be brought back.

They argue it gave businesses and visitors peace of mind, which is priceless when your economy depends on millions of tourists spending their dollars here instead of somewhere else.

Tough Love Works

From a conservative point of view, the RCC was a law-and-order success story. The order-outs showed that actions have consequences. If you break the law on the Strip, you lose the privilege of being there.

That sends a clear message: Las Vegas welcomes tourists, not troublemakers.

Critics prefer long-term social programs, but those take time, cost more, and don’t stop today’s crimes.

Order-outs gave immediate relief and protected workers and families whose livelihoods depend on tourism.

The reality is simple: if visitors feel unsafe, they’ll take their vacations — and their money — elsewhere.

Nevada can’t afford to risk its main economic engine on soft-on-crime experiments.

A Model for Other Cities

The RCC idea isn’t just for Las Vegas. Tourist hotspots like Times Square in New York or Bourbon Street in New Orleans face the same challenges.

Tailored courts, dedicated prosecutors, and stay-away orders could help protect their economies too.

Las Vegas has always been a testing ground for big ideas, and this is one worth repeating.

Nevada Can’t Afford to Be Soft on Crime

Nevada thrives when the Strip thrives.

The Resort Corridor Court made the area safer, cut crime, and boosted confidence for visitors and businesses.

Closing it was a step backward. It’s time to bring it back.

Law-abiding citizens, hard-working hospitality staff, and millions of tourists deserve to enjoy the Strip without worrying about being hassled or robbed.

A zero-tolerance approach may not solve every problem, but it keeps crime in check and makes sure Nevada’s biggest attraction stays strong.

*

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.