Tracking Crime on the Strip is a Tough Endeavor

I-Team: Tracking Crime on the Strip is a Tough Endeavor
By Jonathan Humbert, Investigative Reporter
By Alex Brauer, Photojournalist

LAS VEGAS -- All this week, the 8 News NOW I-Team has taken a comprehensive look at the dangers and safety of the Las Vegas Strip. In the final part of the investigation, we look at how and why crimes get reported, and how some stay quiet.

In some cases, casinos and police attempt to reveal only a certain amount of information to the public, instead of the full story. And even if you ask, you may not get the full story.

Las Vegas police do put up a lot of information on the web about different types of crime along the Strip. We've seen the fights, the assaults, and downright strange happenings on the Strip. But to really find where the safest spots are? Good luck.

I-Team: Strip Crime Down, but Dangerous Perception Remains

"It's important for people to know if there's going to be crime on the Strip, they should have an idea that that's their so they can prepare themselves," said UNLV gaming professor David Schwartz.

Schwartz studies every aspect of tourism, including the oddball trends, but also the more serious violence. Metro's online Crimeview program details robberies, car thefts, drug arrests and more. But the data is vague, giving only the block along the Strip with few details about if it happened on the walkways, the sidewalk or inside a casino. And it probably is going to stay that way.

"I think some of the details are going to have to remain secret because they don't want to give away the details of their security system and stuff like that," said Schwartz.

Casino security often comes out to public sidewalks to shoo away unruly partygoers, but they also don't like cameras, even in public areas. It's part of a long-time code of silence where any criticism or scrutiny comes under a literal blockade.

When it comes to more serious crimes, especially robberies, Metro often holds back full details. Some catch big headlines, but other times, Metro releases scant details with no mention of the robbed casino.

They say it is because they don't want to hurt the casino's reputation or as they put it, "victimize them twice." Schwartz says the visible protection out on the Strip can matter more.

"You want people to know that there is a presence there and that if there's trouble, there's going to be a response," he said.

In a town where facade and reality become blurred, truth can't be uncovered unless we know about it.

"Bringing more of this to light is going to be, in the short term, painful and maybe embarrassing. But I think if it forces a change in the way they are done, long term, it's going to lead to a safer city and a safer Strip," said Schwartz.

Many crimes fall through the cracks just like that. More is being done, but as the economy improves and visitation increases, there's still a long way to go.