CRIME AND STAYING IN VEGAS

By Trey Rusk

 

 

This week we took a trip to Las Vegas.  We were joined by our Granddaughter and her fiancee'.  We were comped a two bedroom suite at Mandalay Bay.  We've been visiting Vegas for at least 30 years.  We gamble and take in some shows.  As far as entertainment goes, Las Vegas is unparalleled.  

Our trip didn't start off well because our host messed up several reservations including our transportation and show reservations.  Most Vegas hosts are off mid-week.  Mid-week is when we like to visit Vegas.  So, getting the glitch fixes took up some of our time.  We gamble enough to make a Vegas Host take notice and offer rooms, food and free play money.  We fly free or nearly free on Southwest because everything we buy is charged to a SW credit card and we receive the points.  

Las Vegas is really booming. So much so that criminals are become bolder.  The Vegas crowd is filled with rubes that are unaware of classic bate and switch routines, coupon crime and intimidation robbery.  Then there is the double billing from restaurants which happened to us this trip.  We charge everything to our room and settle up at the end of our stay.  This particular charge was from an on premise restaurant that attempted to double bill the corporate hotel it is housed in.  I remember the days when there was Mob influence and such attempts would be dealt with.  

Crime in Vegas? it doesn't have to be tolerated but it is.  There is a police task force (ERT) designated to the strip.  Guess what?  The police are doing their jobs but the liberal appointed judges enforce bail reform and release the criminals ROR with a warning not to return to the strip.  It's becoming a criminal Utopia.  Chances are the fight that is taking place in the casino is a planned action to get patron's attention while confederates steal wallets and purses from onlookers.   On this trip, a doper and his doper girlfriend were whacked out of their minds at Caesars Palace.  The man doper decided to hold his girlfriend doper hostage and then begin to throw furniture out of the window that he broke which rained down on pool patrons.  SWAT arrived and took both of them after they fell asleep.  Another fight broke out near the front door of The Wynne between drunk patrons on mobility scooters.  Both of these incidents can be seen on YouTube.      

Downtown has always been a shithole.  We never go downtown.  Take from me, downtown is surrounded by seedy by the hour motels and the casinos have lost their glitter.  Strippers work the streets for tips and their pimps collect for them.  Fremont street smells of piss and desperation like the inside of a county transport van. 

Believe it or not, despite the increase in crime and the poor host we enjoyed our trip.  The amenities are fantastic, such as the wave pools, lazy rivers and shows. Regardless of the downside, Vegas still books classic and up and coming entertainers.  The following are a few tips that can benefit you in Vegas or anywhere else for that matter.

  

1. Don't venture out alone. Especially if you are a female.

2. Don't wear high end products such as a Rolex or Louis Vuitton purse.

3. Don't call the Pizza Coupon left on your door for the great deal. It's a rip off for your credit card number.

4. Carry a weapon if you can.  I carry a stun gun in Vegas under my shirt that will knock down a cow if needed. I place it and a lockblade knife in my checked luggage.  I would carry a pistol but the airlines are a pain in the ass.

5. Don't connect to Airport or Hotel internet.

6. Don't tell anyone your personal business.  I once had a person ask me what I did for a living.  I told him "I mind my own business."  

7. Don't get drunk. You will lose your money and become a target.

8. Tip your Bellman, server and transportation.  You will be surprised about information that they will pass on to you about where you are or where you are going.

Enjoy yourself but keep your head on a swivel. If you get tired go upstairs and take a nap.