Following the 1 October shooting, security on the Las Vegas Strip will be tighter than ever for New Year’s Eve.
The state has approved a record amount of funds.
More than 330,000 visitors from around the world will ring in 2018 on the Las Vegas Strip and Elvis is excited.
“We’re going to rock. We’re going to have the best New Year’s Eve in the world, as always,” Elvis Impersonator, Mark Rumpler said.
Nevada lawmakers have approved more than $350,000 for New Year’s Eve. The dollar amount is almost triple compared to last year when about $120,000 was spent on security. The increase in funds will go to pay for almost 360 Nevada National Guard troops, up from about 160 last year.
“It’s going to be more robust. There’s going to be definitely more resources dedicated to the Strip to insure a secure environment to include Fremont Street,” Metro Sheriff Joe Lombardo said.
During an 8 News NOW weekly “Cup of Joe” segment, Sheriff Lombardo said the police department is also getting more help from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It comes down to how the Federal Government uses a system called the Special Event Assessment Rating, also known as “SEAR.”
“Depending on the labeling of one, two or three, one being the most robust, depends on how much resources come from the federal government to assist you and this year we have been relabeled at a sear one event,” Lombardo added.
After the 1 October shooting, the sheriff says the police department was deciding whether to move forward with America’s Party, Lombardo believes officials made the right choice.
“I think it’s important to move on as a community and as a society no matter what tragedy, event takes place, showing that resiliency and that’s part of Las Vegas,” Lombardo said.
If predictions by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority are correct, the mass shooting didn’t appear to have an impact on New Year’s Eve tourism.
About the same number of visitors are expected in town this year.
“I’m expecting to see a good crowd. I hope so,” Rumpler added.
The Regional Transportation Commission will provide Metro with 24 buses to use at their discretion.
In most major events, large vehicles are used as roadblocks.
