Nevada lawmakers are set to revive a specialised court that bans offenders from the Las Vegas Strip for a year, as tourism declines and crime rates fall. The Resort Corridor Court, which operated for 18 months from 2022, targeted low-level crimes such as petty theft, assault, drug offences and loitering on the Strip and nearby resorts. It was disbanded after judges questioned its legality, but now a proposal backed by major casinos and labour unions seeks to bring it back as part of Governor Joe Lombardo's 'Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act'.
The amendment, introduced during a special legislative session that began on Thursday, would require the court to submit annual reports detailing the number of people barred, their crimes, and the rate of successful sentence completion. Supporters argue the court is necessary to make the Strip safer for workers and more appealing to tourists. 'It’s important for the safety of our guests and for our employees in the workplace,' said Virginia Valentine, president of the Nevada Resort Association. 'It’s also important for the whole guest experience.'
However, critics question the legality of barring people from public areas and argue the court unfairly targets homeless individuals. Athar Haseebullah, executive director of the ACLU of Nevada, said the previous court 'unfairly targeted homeless people living in the area and was an attempt to privatize public streets'. He added, 'Targeted enforcement actions towards people who resort properties may deem undesirable is not in line with how the Constitution should operate.'
The proposal comes as Las Vegas sees an 11% decline in visitors between June 2024 and June 2025, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Crime on the Strip has also dropped, with violent crimes down 6% and trespassing down 35% from the previous year, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department data. Ted Pappageorge of the Culinary Union Local 226 said the court acts as a deterrent, keeping workers safe and ensuring tourists feel secure. 'The Strip is the economic engine for the state,' he said.
