Las Vegas Casinos Continue to Increase Security After Mass Shooting

Las Vegas Casinos Continue to Increase Security After Mass Shooting

Hotels and casinos on the Las Vegas Strip are increasing security with K-9 units and advanced technology.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Oct 15, 2018

Las Vegas tourists are demanding more visible signs of security at the Las Vegas Strip hotels and casinos, according to Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo. 

"No one knows what a terrorist looks like," Lombardo said at a lunch event for the Las Vegas Hospitality Association. "Stephen Paddock didn't look like a terrorist."

One year after the mass shooting, security management is still at the forefront of casino officials' minds. Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Caesars Entertainment, Timothy Donovan told the Las Vegas Review Journal that security is top of mind in light of the terrible events of last yer.

"It made everyone step back and look at their security protocol, their security personnel and their security standards," Donovan said.

Donovan said that security at casinos and hotels are something that you have to look at continuously, "you don't want to become complacent," he said.

Some of the security measures that have been implemented since the mass shooting are increased security visibility including more K-9 units and police. Donovan said the increased K-9 units have been an "effective tool" for casinos across the Strip. 

"Our guests seem to like it," Donovan said. "It makes them feel secure, and they do a great job."

Metropolitan Police Department Capt. John Pelletier advised hotels and casinos to consider security budgets more than a cost. He encouraged hotels to prepare go bags of flashlights, access keys, and current maps; train employees to lead law enforcement through tunnels of buildings, and invest in cameras at the cages that are just as good as the ones looking at the players's cards.

Pelletier said local hotels and casinos are experimenting with new facial recognition and weapons detection technology on their properties. 

"I can't tell you what the business model should be, but I can tell you what the best practice should be," Pelletier said. "You're got to balance your freedom and liberties with this increased security."

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.