Safety in Las Vegas

Your safety in Las Vegas can be greatly improved if you follow these simple steps.

CASH
Keep cash in a front pocket if possible. If you must carry cash in a purse put the strap across your chest instead of just on the shoulder. Never flash large amounts of cash, be aware if you win big at a table you might be watched by someone that wants to take that money. If you are alone it is highly recommended that you use the Hotel safe or ask a security guard to walk you to your room and use the room safe. If you are not at your hotel take a taxi instead of public transportation. If you are in a group you will be much safer but still keep that roll of cash in your front pocket. Pick Pockets are much better than you think and bumping into someone on a crowded sidewalk is very common and that is the method they use to get your money. You are always safest when inside a casino, crooks know that they are on camera from 10 different angles.

PROSTITUTES/ROBBERS
If you have won a lot of money or even if you are seen counting large amounts of money be aware that the many prostitutes that are cruising around looking for customers might approach you with a scam to get you to buy them a drink, like telling you how attractive you are and how lonely they are now that their boy friend has left them for another girl. Many crimes have been committed this way by drugging the victim and stealing the money He was flashing but many of these crimes are not reported out of embarrassment. If you have a load of cash and a very attractive girl gives you her sales pitch, she is going to have the upper hand unless you are cold sober and on to her. Just remember to be on the lookout for anyone being your friend just after you won big on a table or you flashed cash.

TRANSPORTATION
Taxis, Monorail, Buses, Shuttles are all very safe forms of transportation but use common sense when choosing which method. If you are traveling as a single female and want to take a Taxi ask for a female driver. If you are with two or more people there is not much risk in your safety in any of the mentioned transportation methods.

WALKING
Walking is safe everywhere during the day on and around the strip and around downtown. However, Night is a different story. Only walk in well lit busy areas at night. Avoid the area between Encore and Riviera on the East side of the Strip and Fashion Show Mall and Circus Cirus on the West side of the Strip and do not walk south of Excalibur or Tropicana, If you want to go to Luxor and Mandalay Bay do so by going through Excalibur, you can get to both while walking inside. Avoid going to the Near Strip Hotels at night unless you are with a group of people, there are lots of homeless and desperate people laying in the bushes most night. They are usually harmless but you never know what state of mind they are in. Do not leave Fremont Street at night unless you are with a group, there are plenty of dark dangerous areas just off Fremont.

ALCOHOL
It is easy to drink more than you usually do around all the excitement in Vegas. This will cause you to forget all the safety points mentioned here. It is a very good idea not to drink heavily if you are alone. You will have a very big target on your back if you are noticeably Drunk. It has happened to the best of us. So if you are really going to tie one on be sure to not be alone. Also, on a health note, you should drink a bottle of water between every two drinks, dehydration is a major side effect of alcohol.

PANHANDLERS
Panhandlers can be found all over Las Vegas and 99.9 percent of the time will not cause you any trouble. If you want to give them some change, have that change in your hand well ahead of time so you don't risk dropping bills or coins as you approach them. If you don't want to give them any money just look forward without making eye contact and maintain your pace.

BE REALISTIC
This is not about your physical safety but your financial safety: If you don't get approached every day in your home town by random strangers then most likely the random strangers that approach you because you are "special" are most likely trying to take money from you. Vegas has the most Beautiful Women in the world hired to make you feel "special" then close a sale. That sale might be a condo, time share, show tickets, club pass, etc.. Just be on guard. Its mostly beautiful women selling themselves to men but I am sure as time goes by rich women will be the target by Young Hot Guys that have no interest in the woman other than the sale.