Gov. Joe Lombardo says he’ll call lawmakers back for a special session soon.
One issue that may come up: reviving the Resort Corridor Court, a program that handled most criminal cases from the Strip.
One judge at first, later two, oversaw cases on the Strip.
Judges could issue “order-out” bans keeping repeat offenders off the Strip for up to a year.
Supporters say the program worked. Casino executives, police, and even the powerful Culinary Union backed it.
They say it helped protect the heartbeat of Nevada’s economy – the Strip.
“The judges need this tool,” said Virginia Valentine, president of the Nevada Resort Association.
In 2024, Las Vegas tourism generated about $87.7 billion in total economic impact, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
When tourists feel safe, they stay longer, spend more, and that money ripples through the community – from hotel workers and entertainers to cab drivers and small businesses.
What Lawmakers Tried to Do
Back in June, lawmakers tried to add a last-minute amendment to Lombardo’s crime bill.
It would have allowed Clark County to mark off areas where crime “poses a significant risk to public safety and the economic welfare of this State.”
In plain English, it would’ve given judges clear authority to keep problem offenders off the Strip.
Culinary Local 226’s Ted Pappageorge signed on. “We have to have common sense here about safety on the Strip,” he said.
But the amendment died in the final hours of the session.
Now, with Lombardo calling legislators back to Carson City, the proposal could get a second look.
The Critics Push Back
Not everyone’s on board.
The ACLU of Nevada says the old court unfairly targeted homeless people and trampled on constitutional rights.
Executive Director Athar Haseebullah accused lawmakers of “selling their constituents’ liberty and constitutional rights at the behest of the resorts.”
Civil-liberties advocates argue banning people from public sidewalks crosses the line.
They say it treats poverty like a crime and gives casinos too much sway over the justice system.
That’s sparked one of Nevada’s toughest debates: how to balance safety, fairness, and freedom on one of the most famous streets in the world.
What the Numbers Say
While the court operated, the Las Vegas Review-Journal found most “order-out” cases were for trespassing, not violence.
About 30 percent involved trespassing, and most defendants received only one order before moving on.
Even so, resort leaders and Metro Police believe the program helped.
Keeping repeat offenders off the Strip, they argue, stopped small problems from turning into bigger ones.
“If this prevents even one escalation, that’s an improvement,” Valentine said.
Why It Matters for Nevada
The Strip is Nevada’s front porch – what the world sees first. Tourism can’t flourish if the main attraction feels dangerous after dark.
Protecting workers, tourists, and the economy doesn’t have to mean ignoring compassion.
The state can defend civil rights and keep order. Both matter.
Lawmakers will get another shot during the special session.
Nevadans deserve both a safe Strip and a fair system. Lombardo’s special session might finally make that possible.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Digital technology was used in the research, writing, and production of this article. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
