Gangs on the strip?

[Dean Martin]

For you that live in the city we all love, what is the real story on gang activity in LV? We've lived in Seattle and Va Beach where it's not excatly small towns and realize that you just have to be aware of your surroundings. We have just been curious as the last few years it seems you see more gang bangers (or at least wanna be's) hangin out on the strip than we used to..... or maybe I just didn't pay attention. Actually... more so than we ever see downtown. Just curious, thanks ~ Dino

[vegasbound]

Generally, Metro is good about keeping gangs, etc. away from the strip. The strip is our (the entire towns) bread and butter, therefore a lot of man power serves the strip in attempts to protect it. When big events and rap concerts come to town, they beef up security and police presence, but obviously not enough...

I can recall numerous shootings on and near the strip (Hard Rock, Palms, The Beach, etc.) that have occurred in the 2 years I've lived in Vegas - all apparently gang related and all coincided with large events...crowds get riled up, disputes happen and unfortunately, many end in gunfire.

I definitely believe it is becoming more and more of a problem, but Metro is working to improve the situation. A sales tax increase has been approved which, supposedly, will allow more police to be hired and we'll have more police presence on the strip, as well as in our neighborhoods.

In the meantime, we'll have to wait and see what transpires...

From what I hear and see, gang activity downtown (Fremont Street) is practically non-existant. Metro has a grasp on the area and they keep it under control.

For the most part, the strip and downtown are very safe, but as with any city, you should always be aware of your surroundings.

[Dean Martin]

Thanks for the response....kind of what I thought. I know where we live there is a lot of people here in the metro area, so the % is very small, but there seems to be a murder of some sort almost everyday. It seems odd to even write that and think that there is acceptance or some sort of normalcy to a statement like that. I know there is also a lot of people these days in Las Vegas too but it has always felt like it's probably one of the safer cities per capita. You have to admire the men and women that go into law enforcement these days.... ~ Dino

[DonD]

Gangs have been on the strip for a long time. They use to call them the Mob.

[thoots]

You might check out my "gunfire" trip report from a couple of weeks ago.

It sure appeared to me that a good two full blocks -- essentially from Aladdin south to the start of the MGM Grand property -- was a solid pack full of gang members. As I mentioned, I sure don't know if those were indeed "gang members" or not, but they sure looked like "local youths" standing around all night, and most definitely not "tourists." And, of course, then there was the moment when someone pulled up in front of them and started shooting.

The general "lawlessness" of the city sure got to me during this last trip. "Street racing" happens on the strip virtually every time there's a half-block open enough for drivers to get their vehicles up to double the speed limit or better. Cab drivers absolutely floor it away from every green light, and yellow lights seem to mean "you're free to go up to 70 MPH to fly through them, long after the light has actually turned red." The police could stop a half-dozen cabs after =every single light=, any time of the day or night. And, the rest of the traffic seems to take a cue from the cab drivers and everyone drives like a madman. If you "value your fenders," this sure isn't the place to drive your own car.

Las Vegas has the fourth-highest car theft rate in the nation, and I'm continually amazed at the number of FATAL accidents on the "surface streets." In the end, "you're not in Kansas anymore." I think you're pretty safe on the grounds of most of the big properties on the Strip, but otherwise, be very aware of what's going on around you!

[Jolly Green Giant]

I think one of the things that causes them "young kids" to congregate around that area of the strip is the Gameworks down there. It is one of the few places in town that can host a large party for persons under the age 21. A few years ago I was in town the same time a BET awards show was at the Paris. Me and a buddy were walking back to the Monte Carlo the same a after party was breaking up at the Gameworks. There was a Metro officer every ten feet along the east side of the strip from about the Walgreen's all the way down to the Gameworks. That is the only spot on the strip where I have ever seen that happen. Other than that time I have never had a problem on the strip with gangs.

[cardguy75]

there is a lot of old motorcycle gangs. most of them are 90 and on their little rascals!