Las Vegas: 4th Slaying nothing to do with smut

Commissioner wants casinos to help clean up Strip
Posted By MaryAnn Martinez, Reporter

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) - A fourth slaying near the Las Vegas Strip this summer is raising questions about who is responsible for making sure the Strip's reputation isn't tarnished with tourists.

Requests for interviews from MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, the Strip's largest property owners, went unanswered or were declined.

So was a request with the Nevada Resort Association. County Commissioner Mary Beth Scow, who represents most of the Strip, also declined to comment.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority, responsible for attracting tourism, emailed FOX5 a statement saying safety is its number one priority.

"These were isolated incidents, and there is no indication it has impacted visitation," the statement said.

The Stage Door Casino was dragged into this after the latest murder happened down the street from it.

"There is nobody personal to blame," said General Manager Alan Hoffman. "It's a tough situation."

Although Hoffman has never seen this many murders on Las Vegas Boulevard in such a short time span, he believed they cannot be prevented.

"Unfortunately the economy does bring upon problems, but I believe (police) is doing their job."

Hoffman said the bigger issue is the smut, including the water vendors and peddlers with X-rated cards.

Yesterday, County Commissioner Steve Sisolak told FOX5 he wants to form a work group with the casinos, law enforcement and other stake holders to clean up the smut.

"I can't believe how many people have called and written and emailed and stopped me in the way into work today," said Sisolak of the response from constituents and casinos.

Sisolak admits he did receive a few messages from people who do not believe the smut is a major issue. Sisolak issued a challenge to every casino president on the Strip. He calls on them to take a walk down Las Vegas Boulevard so they can see the situation with their own eyes.

Despite the problem with smut, Sisolak believes there is no connection between the smut and violence on the Strip.

"You'd like to live in a city that there are no murders," he said. "Unfortunately, that city doesn't exist."