Las Vegas Intensifies ‘Order Out Corridor’ Scrutiny, Bans More Gamblers

Article by : Erik Gibbs Jul 23, 2024

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The city of Las Vegas has implemented an “order out corridor” in its downtown area, resulting in nearly 250 individuals being prohibited from entering certain tourist destinations. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, this measure was introduced during the winter season and has been in effect since late November, and is still getting warmed up.

The order empowers Municipal Court judges to issue suspended jail sentences to individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses, on the condition that they avoid the designated corridor for up to a year. As of early this month, 246 individuals have been ordered to stay away, with 81 of them being incarcerated for violating the order. Interestingly, nine individuals have been found to violate the order more than once.

The most common offenses leading to these court orders include trespassing, battery, obstructing police, and disturbing the peace. Over half of the offenders were identified as homeless by city officials.

The “order out corridor” spans 144 acres between Stewart and Bridger avenues and Main and Eighth streets, with an additional 67 acres surrounding The Strat. The ordinance, introduced in November, expanded the scope of an existing “order out zone” that was applicable to individuals convicted of prostitution and drug crimes. This move followed a larger initiative by Clark County in 2022 to manage crime in and around the Strip.

However, the county’s order has faced legal challenges, and the city is closely monitoring a pending determination by the Nevada Supreme Court. Las Vegas City Attorney Jeff Dorocak has been keeping the council informed about the case.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada has raised concerns that the orders could unfairly target homeless individuals, street performers, and protesters. They argue that it provides law enforcement with a pretext to conduct “stop-and-frisk” searches. The Union has also criticized the order as a violation of the First Amendment’s protection of free speech and the 14th Amendment’s protection of the right to move freely.

Despite these criticisms, the city ordinance does provide exceptions for individuals who reside within the corridor or need to conduct essential activities there, such as work or religious worship. So far, the courts have approved three such exceptions.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department and City Marshals, the order has led to a significant reduction in aggravated assaults in the downtown area and near The Strat, with decreases of 10 percent and 40 percent respectively.

In November, the council rejected a proposal to expand the corridor. However, Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske have recently expressed openness to extending the corridor to include areas near Main Street Casino and the Plaza Hotel & Casino. This suggests that the debate over the “order out corridor” is far from over.