Published on: September 25, 2024, 08:06h. 

Last updated on: September 25, 2024, 08:06h.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) continues efforts to reduce crime in popular tourist areas and neighborhoods. However, overall crime in Las Vegas saw a slight increase in 2023 compared to 2022.

Recently released FBI statistics show a 1.4% increase in total incidents in 2023, with 133,718 incidents compared to 131,884 in 2022, as reported by Las Vegas TV station KVVU.

Homicides decreased by 12% while drug incidents increased by 10% between the two years.

Public Safety Town Hall

Due to ongoing concerns about crime in Las Vegas, a Public Safety Town Hall will be held on Thursday.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the LVMPD’s Northwest Area Command (NWAC), 9850 W. Cheyenne Ave. Captain Noe Esparza, who leads the NWAC, will be among the speakers.

The town hall will address recent crime trends and the LVMPD’s efforts to prevent and reduce crime.

LVMPD Captain Steve Connell stated to KVVU that Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill is focused on ensuring safety in the tourist corridor, with ongoing efforts to make this vision a reality.

Officers monitor crime trends weekly to prioritize areas and crimes that require additional attention.

One new enforcement initiative, the Edged Weapon Initiative, has resulted in 300 arrests. This collaborative effort between LVMPD and Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson aims to prevent violent crime, deter other criminal activities, confiscate weapons, and apprehend suspects.

Another initiative, the “Order Out” ordinance, aims to prevent crime in tourist areas like The Strip.

Under this initiative, a judge can order individuals with a history of crime to stay away from these areas. Violators may face six months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the LVMPD implemented selective enforcement to prevent crimes on The Strip.

New LVMPD substations are also opening in various areas, including near the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas.

Visitor Violently Attacked on Strip

Despite these efforts, various crimes still occur in Las Vegas tourist areas.

For example, the search continues for two suspects who recently attacked a couple visiting the Las Vegas Strip to celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary from St. Louis.

Mitchell Stonebarger was filming the tourist area when two men confronted and assaulted him. Stonebarger sustained facial swelling and bruises from being kicked and punched, as reported by Las Vegas TV station KLAS.

Although a crowd witnessed the attack, no one intervened or checked on the victims afterwards.

The couple reported the incident to the LVMPD, stating that they have no plans to return to Las Vegas in the near future.

“You hear people say, ‘Be careful outside of The Strip.’ I’m saying, be careful in The Strip,” Mitchell Stonebarger told KLAS.