Las Vegas officials are considering bringing back the Resort Corridor Court to address crime on the Strip, though the proposal faces significant opposition from civil rights advocates.
Key Takeaways
- The Resort Corridor Court program issued over 4,100 order-out orders between 2023-2024 before being dissolved
- Casino industry stakeholders strongly support reinstating the program to protect the Strip’s image
- Critics argue the program unfairly targets homeless individuals without addressing root causes of crime
Strip Safety Program Faces Scrutiny
Las Vegas may soon revive its controversial Resort Corridor Court program as part of ongoing efforts to maintain safety and tourism appeal on the famous Strip. The program, which operated from 2023 to 2024, allowed judges to issue order-out orders banning individuals from the Strip for up to a year following certain offenses.
According to Las Vegas Justice Court data analyzed by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, authorities issued approximately 4,100 such orders during the program’s operation. The most common violation leading to these orders was trespassing, followed by violating previously issued order-out orders.
Casino Industry Pushes for Reinstatement
The Nevada Resort Association has been a vocal supporter of bringing back the program, viewing it as essential to protecting the Strip’s reputation and ensuring tourists feel secure. Local prosecutors have similarly advocated for its return, believing it effectively managed Strip-related crime.
Governor Joe Lombardo has confirmed plans to reconvene the legislature to address unfinished business, with sources suggesting the Resort Corridor Court program will be among the topics discussed.
Civil Rights Concerns Emerge
Opposition to the program centers on claims that it disproportionately impacts homeless individuals while failing to address underlying issues. Assistant Public Defender John Piro criticized the initiative, suggesting it creates a separate justice system serving casino interests.
“We have equal justice under the law. I don’t understand how the wealthy and powerful can direct the court to do their bidding,” Piro stated.
Former Resort Corridor Court member and Deputy Public Defender Olivia Miller noted that the program failed to address root causes of Strip crime, which she identified as homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse.
The ACLU of Nevada’s executive director, Athar Haseebullah, pointed out that most order-out orders weren’t related to violent offenses, suggesting the program may be targeting individuals deemed undesirable rather than dangerous.
Constitutional Questions Remain
Some legal experts have questioned whether the 2022 Clark County ordinance that enabled these order-out orders is constitutional. Critics argue the program effectively criminalizes homelessness while failing to provide meaningful solutions.
One homeless individual interviewed by the Review-Journal claimed that virtually every homeless person he knew had received an order-out order, highlighting concerns about the program’s application.
As Las Vegas continues to balance its reputation as a premier tourism destination with complex social issues, the debate over the Resort Corridor Court program illustrates the ongoing tension between maintaining the Strip’s appeal and addressing the underlying causes of crime in the casino corridor.
I remember the first time I saw Kai Tak, Hong Kong’s gambling city, I thought I was in a fairy tale. All the lights blinking, the music and the monumental buildings, what 9-year-old wouldn’t think they’ve come to a magical place? It was my father who brought me, dragging me along and when inside I was hit by the smell of frying duck. As soon as I hit 21 I returned to Kai Tak, A bit nervous to see if my mind had embellished the memory, but it hadn’t. Kai Tak was still a magical place. I decided I wanted to spend as much time as I could at this place, so I did.
