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Staying safe in Vegas

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by Kevke, Apr 9, 2016.

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  1. Kevke

    Kevke Vegas Addict

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    Hello !

    Im going to rent a nice mustang convertible when im there.

    Are there lots of street gangs active and how safe is it to actually drive in it ?

    So how safe is Vegas??

    And wich parts and streets should i take a big u turn and get away from them?!
     
  2. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    Yes, there are massive roaming gangs of hooligans in Vegas. Have you seen Walking Dead? It's kind of like that and they love to eat people driving Mustangs. It's probably best to stick to Uber or Lyft. :wink2:

    Yeah, I don't understand your question.
     
  3. shokhead

    shokhead No big spender unless eating drinking having fun!

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    Safer then most places. Stay around the main places and you'll be fine. No snarky reply here.:beer:
     
  4. ardee

    ardee It's only money.

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    There are armed gangs everywhere. You can never be safe. Better stay at home in Europe, because America is too scary.
     
  5. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    C'mon people. Where are the normally friendly, helpful VMB replies? The OP is coming from a foreign country.:poke:
    Face it, the media hype doesn't make America look like the safest place to visit.
     
  6. ardee

    ardee It's only money.

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    Well, Las Vegas is in the Wild West. But come on, Joe. The OP has obviously spent most of his time watching...I don't know what. Maybe Vacation? Trust me, if he is that afraid of America, then an aggressive hooker at a hotel bar or a pushy street performer will give him a heart attack!

    Dear OP - Calm down. You and your family aren't going to be dragged from your car and robbed anywhere in Las Vegas other than the casinos. Relax.
     
  7. deansrobinson

    deansrobinson VIP Whale

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    Lemme get this straight...you wanna rent a flashy-fly ride and get yo' pimp daddy on in Las Vegas...but you have a measure of trepidation because of street gangs?
    It's Vegas...tourist land...millions upon millions of visitors every year visit with nary and incident. You're coming from the Netherlands to Vegas...and worried about crime?
    Ever been to the US before, or is this your first time at bat? Here's some advice...don't confuse TV and movies with reality. It's a vacation destination for people from all
    over the world. If crime - and roving bands of gangs intent on stealing rent-a-cars and bustin' a cap in some tourist was an issue...the place would have shut down decades
    past. I doubt you really want to do much other than spend your time and money on the strip - at about two miles per hour - or do you wanna hit the highway and throttle 'er up ... the wind in your hair?

    You'll be perfectly safe as long as you don't get weapons grade stupid while you're there.

    Of course, I just can't resist spookin' you one last time, so G's up, Ho's down, ese!

    http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/jun/08/las-vegas-street-gangs/
     
  8. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    I for one won't rent a convertible. Not because of gangs. But because of theft. Which is everywhere, especially in Vegas. Just seems too much of a hassle to bring the top up and down to secure things and the chance of forgetting in the excitement (it's Vegas) is very real.

    Also, at intersections and stop lights it might be a little scary when a beggar/homeless/lowlife approaches to ask for a handout.

    The latter statement is only if you venture off-strip. But the theft issue is very real which is why I won't rent a convertible. My Wife and I do a lot of shopping. Too much hassle to throw everything in the trunk and don't want to deal with putting the top up and down.
     
  9. Kevke

    Kevke Vegas Addict

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    Wow at Some reactions , im just curious wich parts of Vegas i should avoid going in when im going off strip :thumbsdown:

    Since i am not from the US and come from a farmervillage in Holland i dont have much experience About traveling myself in the US

    I would dislike driving into Some weird area when i dont need to.

    Im not scared of anything or anyone but since im going with my girlfriend i rather avoid then solve problems , is that such a weird question ???
     
  10. Iceicecool

    Iceicecool Low-Roller

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    Realistically you don't need to avoid any areas of Las Vegas. Vegas has a huge police force and there are no out of control areas in Vegas. It's also unheard of for gangs to attack non gang members for driving around.
     
  11. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    You're right, Joe. Bad Sonya! Crabby posting is not a good thing. :)

    Vegas is like any major metropolitan area. There are good neighborhoods and more sketchy neighborhoods. If you plan to stick mostly to the tourist areas (LV Strip, Downtown, Boulder Highway, etc) you should be fine. Obviously don't leave anything in the car if the top is down. But you are unlikely to be surrounded by gangs of marauders and pulled out of your car. ;)

    Dan and I went exploring some of the outlying areas about 15 yrs ago and only found one area where we felt we needed the windows up and doors locked. It wasn't anywhere near any of the tourist areas though, so you're probably good.

    Sorry for my snarky response. I blame the lack of coffee and being over-scheduled while the sun is out in Seattle.
     
  12. Lovegas95

    Lovegas95 Too much work...need more play.

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    Slightly snarky...the OP appears to be a car rental first-timer. Encouraging the normal exercise of caution would be expected in any city. If they want the car, give them the car. Maybe we need rent-a-wreck in Vegas.
     
  13. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    Be careful when traveling north of Downtown. There are some streets that are packed with "homeless cities" and can make you uncomfortable. Stay on main thoroughfares, avoid neighborhoods if possible. The area around the Stratosphere is skeptical, but probably no problems during the day.

    If you plan to visit Properties on the Boulder Highway, Summerlin, and Henderson there is absolutely no problem. Like any other big city with tourist attractions, sticking to the main streets will be the best bet. Convertibles just scream "tourist" but that shouldn't deter you from having a great time.

    Cruising the Strip at night with the top down would be a blast I would imagine. Enjoy your trip!
     
  14. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    There are worse neighborhoods in just about every town. There is also no reason for you to be visiting them.

    Its not like you are driving in beverly hills, take a right and all of a sudden you are in some third world city. It doesnt work that way.

    Its not the street gangs targeting tourists. Its the well dressed con man or pickpocket that are. Thats who you should not let your guard down around.
     
  15. WichitaMuskie

    WichitaMuskie VIP Whale

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    You have nothing to fear but fear itself.
     
  16. smerrian

    smerrian View from Bally's

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    The biggest crime problem you will most likely encounter is the same as in Europe...pick pockets. Keep your wallet in your front pocket and your hand in your pocket if it's a loose pocket. Your girlfriend should carry her purse in a manner that she has her hand on it, not just fluttering by a loose strap. Pick pockets.
    As for neighborhoods to avoid, like one poster before said, Just north of Downtown...which isn't really the City of Las Vegas anymore, it's the City of North Las Vegas. I can't think of any neighborhood that I would worry about roving gangs...even in North Las Vegas. I am constantly on the watch for pick pockets, especially Downtown and on the Strip. I have been driving alone all over the valley (and I'm an older, out of shape guy) for years and the thought of safety from gangs never even occurred to me. It's just not an issue.
     
  17. JScott276

    JScott276 Low-Roller

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    1. The crime you are most likely to experience is drinking and driving by you- don't.
    2. Especially if driving in touristy areas, be very cautious of pedestrians walking right out in front of you. Nothing ruins a night like spending four hours explaining to the officer why you ran over a mother of four from West Covina.
    3. The weather right now is perfect for a convertible. Good call. I rented a mustang drop top about a year ago and tooled around town. Loved it. You need a very fast car with no top.
    4. Be situationally aware. Don't make eye contact with trouble. Don't be the American tourist in the movie Trainspotting.
    5. Realistically, the worst neighborhoods don't have much to see. The areas immediately north of downtown and fremont east of 9th are sketch. Not much to see there. Well, not for you. I used to like to gamble at the Western. Google that up.
    6. Leave anything of value in the trunk. You don't need you iPad to see the lights of Las Vegas Boulevard.
    7. If you want to drive the strip and not be trapped in traffic, go about 5A or on a weeknight.
    8. Not sure how much time you have- if you want to spend a day driving you can go to Rhyolite and back or to Laughlin for lunch. Carry eye drops, water, and sunscreen if you do this. Searchlight is a good place to get a speeding ticket.
    9. Be sure to tip your valet parker.
    10. Put the top up every time.
    11. Lots of motorcycles this time of year. Be careful.
    12. Learn to politely and firmly say no beggars, buskers, and other street leaches.
    13. Carry your bankroll in one pocket. Carry ones and fives in the other for tips. No need to flash 2,500 to pay for a coke.

    Message Board people- don't troll the foreigner. It's tempting- but remember, you might need a kind hand somewhere someday. But yeah, your responses were funny. I'll give it to you.

    fear3_b.jpg [
     
  18. bobert07

    bobert07 Low-Roller

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  19. BreakEven

    BreakEven High-Roller

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  20. Kevke

    Kevke Vegas Addict

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    Thanks for the usefull tips guys , really appreciate it
     
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