Keep Violence Out Of Vegas

This will be my only semi-political rant for the entire year, I promise. If you do not agree with me that is fine. Post your comments below. But am I wrong or is Vegas attracting the wrong elements from LA and other parts of SoCal? I'm talking about gang bangers members who seem to think that there is an open shooting season whenever Vegas sponsors a big sporting event or entertainment events like the NBA All-Star Game or like the MTV awards in September.

Gang membership has increased significantly from 2004 to 2006: "Las Vegas police said there are now 7,447 adult and juvenile gang members in Las Vegas. This is a 26 percent increase from 2004, when there were 5,905 gang members in the jurisdiction."

I am not being racist when I say gang members, please confine your expansionist activities to LA - you have already destroyed one "nice" section of LA ( Westwood )that used to be perceived as a safe to visit. Please confine your gang activities to Cally!

The Las Vegas police department is already overwhelmed when big sporting (example: The recent NBA All-Star Game) or music events hit this town and they have to devote more and more resources to special anti-gang and anti-riot units. We don't need LV to become another LA.

Places like the Palms ( not meaning to pick on them, but they do seem to market to the gangsta wannabe crowd ) seem to be encouraging the attraction of these bad elements. Example: the upcoming MTV video awards in September. I wish they would change their tune and not encourage gang bangers to visit here. It is bad for tourism and definitely bad for tourists who may find themselves in the crossfire!

Vegas must be kept safe for both tourists and locals!

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Related (File under "Bad for Business") article from the Houston Chronicle: MGM Mirage Exec Blasts NBA All-Star Game