Las Vegas is getting ready for one of the biggest parties in the world.
From May 16 to 18, the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) will light up the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It’s loud, it’s flashy, and it’s packed. Over 500,000 people are expected to attend.
Big-name DJs like David Guetta, Steve Aoki, and Zedd will hit the stage. Crowds will dance under the desert sky all night long.
To many, it’s just fun.
But for others, it’s a warning sign.
The Other Side of the Festival
An event this big always draws attention—not just from music fans, but from police.
In 2024, during EDC weekend, Las Vegas police reported:
- 28 felony arrests
- 17 misdemeanor arrests
- 85 citations
That’s more than in 2023. But some say the real problem is even bigger—and more hidden.
Why?
Because in 2019, a law quietly changed how Nevada counts crime.
The Law That Changed the Numbers
Back in 2019, Democrat Steve Yeager sponsored a bill called AB236.
Before AB236, stealing anything over $650 was a felony. After AB236, the bar was raised to $1,200. That means someone can steal a $1,100 item—and it’s only a misdemeanor.
Supporters called it “criminal justice reform.” Yeager said it was about reducing the prison population and helping non-violent offenders.
He defended the bill by saying, “Your average iPhone is going to be $1,200. So if you take an iPhone, you are looking at having a felony.”
But critics ask: What if you steal something worth $1,100? Or steal from five stores in a day?
Are Crime Numbers Being Hidden?
Critics say this law doesn’t stop crime. It just changes how crime is reported.
Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks said AB236 “rubber-stamped” drug use and made it easier for criminals to get away with repeat offenses.
Retailers on the Las Vegas Strip are seeing the results. Many report shoplifting and theft have skyrocketed.
Since AB236 passed:
- Property crime in Nevada is up 15%
- Drug-store thefts on the Strip are up 39%
Source: Nevada Globe
Yet felony stats are down.
Why? Because theft under $1,200 is no longer a felony.
Four-Year EDC Arrest Comparison
Here’s a look at arrests at EDC over the past four years:
| Year | Felony Arrests | Misdemeanor Arrests / Citations |
| 2021 | 34 | 43 misdemeanors + 6 DUIs |
| 2022 | 39 | 13 citations |
| 2023 | 19 | 6 DUIs (limited citation data) |
| 2024 | 28 | 17 misdemeanors + 85 citations |
On paper, crime seemed to fall in 2023. But theft and drug complaints were rising in Clark County that same year.
That’s the danger, critics say. The law hides the true picture.
Lombardo: Time to Take Back Control
Governor Joe Lombardo, a Republican and former sheriff, has tried to roll back AB236.
He pushed to lower the felony threshold again. He wants to give judges more tools to punish repeat offenders.
But the Democrat-controlled Legislature said no.
They believe fewer people in prison is a good thing. That it gives offenders a second chance.
Many conservatives—and local business owners—disagree.
A 2024 poll by the Nevada Public Safety Coalition found:
- 61% of voters think crime is worse than it was in 2020
- Many said they no longer feel safe in downtown Las Vegas or tourist zones
What’s Next for Nevada?
EDC brings fun, fame, and big dollars to Las Vegas.
But laws that make crime look smaller than it is can’t be ignored.
When shoplifting doesn’t count as a felony—even after five or six hits—businesses suffer. Police get frustrated. And families feel less safe.
Big events like EDC should be a celebration, not an excuse for crime.
It’s time for the Silver State to face what’s really happening.
Because calling a crime something softer doesn’t make it go away.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
