The Resorts Association and Culinary Union in Las Vegas have joined forces to call for reestablishment of specialty courts that would allow judges to ban people convicted of misdemeanor crimes from visiting the city’s famous Strip.
The courts began operating in 2023, creating a single judicial department assigning criminal cases when the alleged offense was committed within the Strip. However, the courts were halted last year.
Now, the Resorts Association and Culinary Union have written to Governor Joe Lombardo calling for their return via an amendment. The letter, obtained by The Nevada Independent, sets out how those convicted could be banned for up to one year.
The amendment would be made to Lombardo’s criminal justice bill (SB 457). This passed out of the Senate this week by a vote of 20-1.
Trespassing and attacks on Las Vegas Strip
The letter referenced several incidents of hotel and casino workers being attacked by people who had trespassed. One man was revealed to have trespassed 700 times, while a female trespassed 21 times and attacked a security officer.
“To be clear, there are just too many incidents like this to list,” the letter said. “We are imploring you to enact meaningful safeguards to prevent the escalation of crimes senselessly perpetrated against our tourists and resort employees.”
Senator Melanie Scheible is working with the two unions on the amendment. In addition to reestablishing the courts, it would establish harsher penalties for individuals who commit crimes against hospitality workers. Penalties would also be increased for re-offenders.
However, the amendment also made clear it would leave it up to justice courts whether to establish the specialty program.
