Las Vegas lawmakers consider reviving disbanded court to boost tourism

A disbanded court in Las Vegas may be coming back to life as lawmakers look to attract visitors to boost Sin City tourism.

Vegas tourism continues to decline 3 million visitors According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCA), there was an 8.8% decrease in September compared to the same period last year.

A special court was created in 2022 to handle crimes such as petty theft, assault, drug violations and loitering, with penalties including banning offenders from the Strip for a year.

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But Resort Corridor Court was disbanded less than two years later after judges raised concerns about its legality.

Supporters of the unique court — mostly casino and resort owners — backed an amendment to Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo’s new crime package, the Associated Press reported.

Resort Corridor Court is the first and only establishment of its kind outside of tourist-heavy areas, the AP said.

Virginia Valentine, president of the Nevada Resort Association, told the outlet that the move to revive it is necessary.

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“This is important for the safety of our guests and our employees at work,” Valentine said.

Labor unions also support the change and are calling for better safety practices.

The specialized court was established several years ago. The aim was to combat crime on the Strip, with the possibility of banning offenders for a year. (Fox News Digital’s Michael Anthony)

Ted Pappageorge, secretary and treasurer of Culinary Union Local 226, told the AP the court would help deter crime by protecting workers.

Pappageorge emphasized the importance of customer safety to sustain the local economy.

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If tourists don’t feel safe and go to different areas instead, workers will lose their jobs.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley for comment.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, violent crimes in Vegas are down 3.5% compared to the same time last year, while shoplifting is up 12.6%. (iStock)

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, violent crimes are down 3.5% from the same time last year, while shoplifting is up 12.6% and purse-snatching is down 17.9%.

Rick Harrison of the Gold and Silver Pawnshop in Las Vegas recently told Fox News Digital that, in his opinion, Las Vegas crime numbers are “skewed.”

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“We have all of Clark County here and that’s the population you get, but sometimes you almost double the population, [given] the amount of tourists,” Harrison said.

“I think Metro and Las Vegas have done an incredibly good job,” he added of the police.

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Republican Lombardo’s crime package, called the “Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act,” also proposes increased penalties for repeat offenders, as well as a long list of crimes including smash-and-grab robberies, possession of child pornography, assault and battery on hospitality workers, and drunken driving involving death, according to the AP.

It is also envisaged that crimes such as harassment will be expanded to include cyber harassment.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.