SEARCH NEWS:

 

Las Vegas Boosts Security Plans

"We've maintained a high level of security since Sept. 11 and that hasn't been interrupted, but we're also considering or have already implemented extra measures to protect our guests this weekend," said Alan Feldman, spokesman for MGM Mirage. "We've been in touch with Metro and the FBI because we want to make certain we're meeting the needs of not only our guests but our community."

Dave Shepherd, director of security for The Venetian, said his property is also cooperating with law enforcement officials and other hotels.

"You have to be proactive," Shepherd said. "If something were to happen in Las Vegas, it would affect all of the properties here. ... We all have to work together."

Last week, the FBI said it will monitor major Independence Day events around the nation as a precaution against terrorist attacks. The bureau also has issued a law enforcement bulletin asking police to be on heightened alert, although no specific new intelligence suggests an attack is pending.

But despite rumors of terroristic threats and a Tuesday report of lapse security procedures at several U.S. airports, including McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority officials are still projecting a full house during the four-day weekend that begins Thursday.

The threat of trouble, however, has not prompted visitors to cancel their reservations at Park Place Entertainment's five Las Vegas-area resorts, which are booked at or near capacity for the four-day weekend, spokeswoman Debbie Munch said Tuesday. Still, Munch said hotel security officials have taken steps to prepare for this weekend's activities.

"We've been on heightened security since Sept. 11 and continue to work with law enforcement agencies when they have concerns," Munch said. "There are some security measures that are obvious, but we don't discuss what all of our security measures are in order to keep them effective."

Most casino and police officials are downplaying the security threat.

Daron Borst, spokesman for Las Vegas field office of the FBI, said Tuesday local agents are not on special alert because the area has no large-scale events scheduled for July Fourth.

"It's not like Boston, where they're expecting more than 100,000 people to gather to watch the fireworks," Borst said. "Things (in Las Vegas) are fragmented, so there's not a major gathering that could be targeted."

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department also downplayed the FBI warning's local impact and said Las Vegas police aren't doing anything extraordinary this holiday.

"It's going to be business as usual for us, but of course we tell folks to be as vigilant as possible," said officer Tirso Dominguez.

Tim Donovan, president of the Las Vegas Security Chiefs Association -- whose membership includes heads of security from most major hotels as well as 7,000 uniformed officers in the tourist corridor -- said this weekend is no different from most others since last year's attacks.

"Security has been heightened since Sept. 11, so most hotels have already increased their (security) staff and conducted additional training exercises," Donovan said. "The information we have (about July Fourth) is there is no credible threat in Las Vegas, but we remain on a high state of alert."

Still, Dominguez encouraged people to be aware.

"People should look for anything that's out of the ordinary; we've always encouraged that in our community, even before Sept. 11," Dominguez said.

Said Shepherd: "Immediately after Sept. 11, people were reporting anything suspicious, but that seems to have calmed down in the past few months.

"We need to get back to the level where people will report an unattended suitcase or something out of the ordinary. ... If we can detect terrorists here, maybe we can catch them before they move on to attack another town."

< Gaming News