THIS JUST IN FROM VEGAS

By Trey Rusk

 

 

Just got back from Vegas with some interesting news. First let me tell you how much better the Strip is since the last time we were there. Yeah, there are still a few hustlers and grifters lurking in doorways but for the most part the mentals, drunks and criminals have had a drastic reduction in numbers. 

 

 

I keep up with Vegas news and I found that the police have formed a very aggressive ERT for the strip. These cops don’t mess around. I’m not talking about an unarmed security guard on a bicycle anymore but full arrest powered cops who are aggressively looking for street maggots. Apparently, this is an overtime gig and the ERT cops are both in and out of the casinos.

 

Tilman Fertitta

The Boys are Back in Town.  I pride myself in keeping up with happenings in Las Vegas. A nice size portion of the Strip has been purchased by Galvestonian, casino owner, Sports franchise owner and large restauranter, Tillman Fertitta. Tillman bought out a section of blight between Planet Hollywood and MGM Grand. Buildings are already being torn down and contemptable persons are not allowed to loiter in the area. Guess what? Tillman Fertitta doesn’t need the ERT to keep things nice in his area of the strip. The Fertitta’s have always had a presence in Las Vegas but have sought a local crowd with off strip resort venues and have also owned multiple Station casinos and the Golden Nugget casinos in gambling cities nationwide. I would not be surprised if he made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wife (pictured above with Trey) ambled next door to the high-end shops and while there took in the Princess Diana Collection display. It was the story of her life and unfortunate death. 

 

 

 

 

I read a FB group that focuses on Las Vegas. Inside this group are gambling aficionados who report on the best odds for games and even where to find loose slots on the strip. Many people complain about FB because of the biased news feeds and advertising but like all information platforms FB can be mined for informative data. Recently, I read a post from a person in the group that I felt was an accurate gambling tip. Not to go off on a tangent, but the wife and I use Southwest Airline credit card for purchases. So much so that we qualify for a free companion pass everywhere that Southwest flies. We also only gamble at one casino brand, MGM. Our rooms, meals and incidentals are comped.  This stay was at the Aria Resort in a corner suite. Armed with what I felt was proprietary information, we set out to win. Long story short, we hit a slot that had been known to pay off. Christmas came a little early. 

One other thing about FB. After retiring, I found it difficult to keep up with old friends. The wife and I share FB and we have hundreds of friends from around the globe that without it we would never have been able to keep in contact with.  Sadly, we also usually learn when one of our friends dies.

I was contacted yesterday from a friend who retired from Houston PD. He read we were in Vegas via our FB post. He was there to help a friend-retired cop who is running for County Clerk for Clark County. I'm glad we were already on our way to the airport. I know how those meet me at the Wynn bar meetings can go. 

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived home last night in time to see the Houston Astros win the World Series. I had a tall boy to celebrate.