Las Vegas Boulevard Infrastructure
Nevada’s population is booming. The southwest region is a prime destination for new residents and visitors. The Tourist Safety Institute will provide research-based solutions to government leaders and industry leaders to ensure the physical and organizational systems are in place and functioning to meet the demands and needs of tourists and residents alike.
Safety on Las Vegas Boulevard: Pedestrian Bridges
Researcher: William Sousa (Criminal Justice), in partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
A study of pedestrian bridges found that 11% of all calls for service for disorderly offenses on Las Vegas Boulevard occurred on the bridges. Disorder calls included fights, public intoxication, narcotics, and suspicious situations. In response to the evidence of safety issues on the bridges, Clark County established pedestrian flow zones on the overpasses. Pedestrians are no longer allowed to stop or stand on the bridges, and police can cite individuals who fail to keep moving.
Safety Collaboration and Coordination
Conducting valuable research for the travel and hospitality industry and law enforcement agencies will help them make informed decisions and refine strategies to address factors that impact communities and the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses, and systems.
Interagency and Stakeholder Collaboration and Coordination
Researchers: Edgar Ramirez (Public Policy and Leadership), Jayce Farmer (Public Policy and Leadership)
This research area examines institutional frameworks for managing tourist safety in Reno and Las Vegas, and intends to provide insights into key aspects that facilitate collaboration. In particular, we focus on how organizational and professional culture facilitate collaborative efforts.
Event and Venue Analysis
This research area involves multiple projects that analyze major venues and events to understand how different factors impact tourist security, safety, and overall experience. The initial research is conducted in Las Vegas, given the existence of high-profile event venues; however, the framework will be applied in other locations.
F1 Inaugural Race Analysis
Researchers: Joshua W. Donnelly (Criminal Justice), Milia Heen (Public Policy and Leadership). In partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
This project examined crime around Las Vegas and the F1 track, specifically where the grandstands were built and located. The analysis used crime data from Nov. 2022–23 to provide a pre- and post-event analysis (i.e., existence of grandstands).
Victimization at Live Music Events
Researchers: Milia Heen (Public Policy and Leadership), Joel D. Lieberman (Criminal Justice)
Researchers are conducting a survey on sexual victimization (i.e., sexual assault and harassment) at live music events (e.g., music festivals and concerts). The survey focuses on a variety of factors including the types of offenders, substance use, incident location, bystander intervention, visibility of staff, security, and police, and whether the incident was reported. The survey also examines the impact of safety policies and measures on perceptions of safety and future attendance.
Human Trafficking in Tourist Destinations
UNLV’s Center for Crime and Justice Policy’s research finds that human trafficking is a global issue. Nevada tied for ninth in the nation for human trafficking cases reported in 2017 and the most common form of trafficking is sex trafficking. Las Vegas is a popular destination for international visitors. Therefore it is imperative for the Tourist Safety Institute to study this important issue and develop solutions.
Partnership with Public Safety Agencies
The TSI partners with public safety agencies to support agency initiatives focused on addressing and preventing human trafficking in Nevada, using a survivor-centered approach. These partnerships combine the university’s research and educational expertise with the task force’s real-world practical experience on the front lines, with a goal of developing more effective strategies to combat this crime.
Crime Rates in Tourist Destinations
The Tourist Safety Institute’s goal is to provide information that will be beneficial to ensure the safety of tourists and residents alike. With our research, policymakers, government officials, the hospitality industry, and law enforcement agencies can make the best informed decisions to ensure the most popular areas of the city are also the most secure.
Comparative Analysis of Crime Rates in Las Vegas and Other Tourist Destinations
Researchers: Steven Pace (Criminal Justice), Terance D. Miethe, (Criminal Justice)
Researchers conducted an analysis between violence and property crime occurring in 2018 compared Las Vegas to other major tourist destinations. Results show that Las Vegas and San Francisco have the highest violent crime rates among San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C. Las Vegas had the lowest rate of property crime among the five cities. In addition, violent crime rates overall in high-tourism cities in 2018 are substantially lower than the national average.