Personal Security?

[nbg]

I'm sorry to see that Vegas Jer's friend had his wallet stolen with some of Vegas Jer's cash in it :(

Could anyone offer some tips on security over there? I expect to be walking around with some cash (in a wallet) and an expensive camera.

Although we are staying at The Luxor, we intend on taking in all of the strip and downtown, any areas to be extra carefull in?

Thanks.

[ February 14, 2002: Message edited by: nbg ]</p>

[grenadier]

nbg: For what it's worth, this is what I do and have never had a problem. Leave your wallet in your room. Get a small credit card holder and put photo ID, and any credit cards you may need in it. Put this holder and your cash in a front pocket of your trousers.

My wife has a very small purse in which she carries her necessities. Purse is worn around her neck.

[Jer]

The front pocket is what I do anyways...

I told him to do the same and just put it in the back from habit.

I have been everywhere and never had a problem, but I think more wisely now! smile.gif

[Sonya]

Most of the areas are fairly safe, but you've got to be careful. It's like any other city and has good people and bad people. Be wary of crowded areas like in front of the Bellagio fountains and ESPECIALLY in front of the Pirate Battle at TI. That is notorious for pickpockets because people are so crowded in.

One member of another list was mugged (assaulted!) in the walkway between Mandalaly Bay and Luxor (or it may have been Luxor and Excalibur) and had her money stolen.

Most of the time you're going to be safe walking around in public areas. I'd be more careful walking off the strip or north of Circus Circus and especially around Stratosphere and from Stratosphere to downtown. That neighborhood is rough.

Limit the amount of cash you carry. If your hotel room has a safe, use it. If not, you can probably get a safe deposit box at the front desk. Consider bringing traveler's checks and limiting your cash. If you have a win in the casino, you can ask for a cashier's check instead of cash. For instance, Jer could have cashed in his $2000 and gotten $500 in cash and $1500 in cashiers check or some other combination. It's a lot easier to replace a check than cash. :(

Bottom line is you have to be careful and be aware of your surroundings. If you're going to jostle through a crowd, put one hand on your camera and one on your wallet/purse.

I carry a very small purse that has my wallet, cellphone and some little things like sunglasses or chapstick. I never go anywhere without my hand on it. When we take the camera bag, it stays close and always zipped and latched. When we sit somewhere, I step through the strap so anyone grabbing it, has to take me with it. smile.gif Dan keeps his wallet in his pocket, buttoned and cash in the front pocket. We try to limit the amount of cash we carry and use traveler's checks or credit cards as much as possible.

[nbg]

Thanks guys smile.gif I will ditch my bulky wallet and just take a few cards in a holder and cash in the front pockets of trousers.

[nbg]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Sonya:
Most of the areas are fairly safe, but you've got to be careful. It's like any other city and has good people and bad people. Be wary of crowded areas like in front of the Bellagio fountains and ESPECIALLY in front of the Pirate Battle at TI. That is notorious for pickpockets because people are so crowded in.

One member of another list was mugged (assaulted!) in the walkway between Mandalaly Bay and Luxor (or it may have been Luxor and Excalibur) and had her money stolen.

Most of the time you're going to be safe walking around in public areas. I'd be more careful walking off the strip or north of Circus Circus and especially around Stratosphere and from Stratosphere to downtown. That neighborhood is rough.

Limit the amount of cash you carry. If your hotel room has a safe, use it. If not, you can probably get a safe deposit box at the front desk. Consider bringing traveler's checks and limiting your cash. If you have a win in the casino, you can ask for a cashier's check instead of cash. For instance, Jer could have cashed in his $2000 and gotten $500 in cash and $1500 in cashiers check or some other combination. It's a lot easier to replace a check than cash. :(

Bottom line is you have to be careful and be aware of your surroundings. If you're going to jostle through a crowd, put one hand on your camera and one on your wallet/purse.

I carry a very small purse that has my wallet, cellphone and some little things like sunglasses or chapstick. I never go anywhere without my hand on it. When we take the camera bag, it stays close and always zipped and latched. When we sit somewhere, I step through the strap so anyone grabbing it, has to take me with it. smile.gif Dan keeps his wallet in his pocket, buttoned and cash in the front pocket. We try to limit the amount of cash we carry and use traveler's checks or credit cards as much as possible.<hr></blockquote>


Thanks Sonya, all noted :D

[SH0CK]

I got this is an email from billhere, hope they don't mind it being posted here.

TWO:- If you are coming with a minimum of $500 as a gambling budget, deposit the money in the casino cashiers cage.

You can withdraw, in any multiples of $100 you want, at the table games by just asking for a marker from the dealer.

For video poker or slot machines you ask any change girl to get you a slot supervisor or a slot host. That person will have you sign a withdrawal slip (marker) and will go to the cage and get your money for you. You do not even have to leave your machine.

Most people are not doing this.

That is a mistake, because you will get more promotions mailed to your home than by just joining slot clubs.

<p align="right">courtesy
Viva Las Vegas Newsletter
(2/11/02)

Has anyone ever tried this? I read about it and was thinking about giving it a try so I wouldn't have to lug around alot of $$$.

[Billy from TX.]

My wife and I always use fanny packs. I always told her that she would'nt catch me dead with one, but I tried it out last trip and it was very handy. We are going again in late March and will have them on again. And also note,nbg, I totally agree Al is a god.

[nbg]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Billy from TX.:
My wife and I always use fanny packs.<hr></blockquote>

I just couldn't bring myself to do it tongue.gif

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>I totally agree Al is a god.<hr></blockquote>

Al is what I aspire to ;)

[Jimbo338]

Sonya's advice is good not only for Las Vegas but any big city or populated area. I like to put big items on Credit cards. when I buy at shows I have open accounts with many suppliers. For supplies with whom I am not established I use a credit card or carry a couple of company checks. I often use Travelers checks.
I usually carry my wallet but never keep money in my wallet. I keep some small change in bills for meals and stuff in my left front pocket. I keep bigger bills in the other side or in a button down shirt pocket.

I have never taken any pictures in LV even though I have an very nice camara. Worrying about your camara isn't my idea of a good time so I intend to just buy some disposable ones when I return in April with my daughter.

Jim

[Lmadrid]

I just have one more thing to add since you said you were staying at the Luxor, although it could apply to any hotel.

I stayed at the Luxor. We had a red-eye flight to Boston, but had to check out at 1pm, so they offered to hold our luggage until we left for the airport that night. Well, when I got home to Boston I realized that several hundred dollars worth of my property had been stolen. I know it was from the Luxor b/c it was out of a small roll aboard that gets put above the seat and not in the planes cargo hold.

So, watch out for the hotel employees as well. If they hold your luggage, at least try to have a combination lock on it, and never leave anything out in your room. I read another review of the Luxor on another site where a girl complained her jewelry got stolen from her room.

Also, the experience of dealing with management for myself and her was very impolite and disrespectful. I got called a liar and was given the excuse that they weren't surprised b/c the employees weren't paid well. The other review said that the management told her it was probably her friends that stole the jewelry.

So, it's just not other tourists and pick pockets you need to watch out for.

[nbg]

That's pretty rough Lmadrid, sorry to hear it. Fortunately I always lock my cases with either a key operated lock and/or a combination lock.

[Lmadrid]

always go with the combination lock. not only are most key locks easily picked, you'd be surprised how many of these baggage handlers have keys that open any number of locks. i've just learned that I'd rather leave it at home. i've since gone out and purchased fake everything. i'm not even going to take my real engagement ring, i have one with a CZ that i wear. that way I won't be so upset if something gets lost/stolen.

[HoyaHeel]

My husband does the "small amt of money, id & credit card in front pocket" thing--usually held together with rubber bands, but I got him a money clip for Christmas especially to take on our Vegas trips smile.gif I have a small purse I call my Vegas bag--it's a shoulder bag with a short strap, fits me just perfectly so it nestles under my armpit--not too long, not too short, and it's big enough I can fit a small change purse with my $, id & credit card, as well as a disposable camera, sunglasses, and slot cards. Even though we have nice cameras too, we usually take a disposable on trips with us--that way we don't really care what happens to it, and the picture quality is acceptable (unless you're a pro like my stepfather, who has a heart attack when he sees us grab the disposable!) Just be aware of your belongings at all times--don't get distracted by what's going on around you or the amount of alcohol you may be consuming ;)

[ February 27, 2002: Message edited by: HoyaHeel ]</p>

[nbg]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by HoyaHeel:
don't get distracted by ... the amount of alcohol you may be consuming ;) <hr></blockquote>

Thanks what lost my last expensive camera on my trip to florida last year :rolleyes: