(Newswire.net — December 6, 2018) — Las Vegas is generally safe for travelers. Many even consider the city’s casinos to be among the safest places on earth for tourists. The violent crime rate is less than Los Angeles and even lower than New York City.
Whether you go to Vegas for a holiday vacation or just to get away over the weekend, you can stay safe by using common sense and some help from residents who live there year-round.
Here’s how tourists can stay safe and avoid unsafe areas and persons while in the city.
Quick Tips to Stay Safe
Know which neighborhoods to avoid. City agencies and law enforcement are tightening up on crime, violent gangs can be still active. The gangs are often named for the neighborhoods where they commit their crimes, so look up the neighborhoods you want to visit before arriving.
Know how to get around safely. The Monorail provides strict safety measures. So stay alert when parking in large parking structures.
Don’t buy anything from street vendors, especially water or VIP passes.
If you’re going to a holiday party, watch the alcohol intake and get a designated driver if you plan on over-indulging.
Scammers are active in the city, so be vigilant and trust your instincts.
Safe Places and Places to Avoid
Las Vegas was basically built by the mob. The gangs still affect some areas, but The Strip where most tourists cluster is relatively safe. The city has a strong interest in keep the area tourist friendly, so it is well lit and security cameras are everywhere. Even the glitzier parts of town are close patrolled by law enforcement.
Get off the Strip and be more alert. The side streets are dark and can be unsafe. Areas around the University of Nevada Las Vegas, McCarran International and north of the Encore resort has been a rise in car break-ins, vandalism and theft.
The west side has a history of gang violence and some high-profile ones are known to be active.
The Monorail
Owing to many large hotel-casino complexes, Las Vegas is a safe city in which to get around. The monorail is safe and fun and there are cameras on every strain and at each station. Each station has dedicated law enforcement officers, and the systems gets a daily maintenance check for explosives. The bus system in Vegas is reliable with incidents rarely happening.
Uber & Lyft
Both ride sharing companies are active in Vegas and the drivers are required to make sure their vehicle passes inspection. Uber has added a 911 button to its app as well as the ability to share your progress with friends. Taxis are available, but like in other big cities, they are less traceable and often more expensive than Lyft and Uber.
Walking the Strip
People visiting Vegas for the first time want to experience the Strip fully. Whether out on the Boulevard or inside a casino, keep your valuables close. Pickpockets are active as Vegas is a cash-heavy city. Just like in other cities, stay vigilant if you’re in a public space as part of a big crowd.
The Takeaway
Nicholas Wooldridge, a Las Vegas Criminal defense lawyer, and a Las Vegas native, suggests, “Use common sense you will be better off than many tourists that seem to forget all common sense when they are somewhere other than home.”