How Does Las Vegas Crime Compare to Similar-Sized Cities?

With all that cash floating around, does it have a higher rate of robberies/muggings? As an out-of-town visitor, I have always felt very safe along the Strip.

Combining the populaces of Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas, one comes up with a total of 2,169,066 residents.

Among them there were, in 2018, at least 6,544 violent crimes, including 85 murders, 874 rapes, 1,666 robberies, and 3,823 aggravated assaults. In addition, there were 7,338 burglaries, 16,136 larceny thefts, 5,012 auto thefts, and 67 arsons. The data come from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, to which we were referred by Las Vegas Metro.

Seeking a metro area of comparable size, we settled upon the city of Chicago, with its population of 2.7 million (the greater Chicago metropolitan area has 9.5 million). In 2018 the Windy City had 12,987 violent crimes, 253 murders, 828 (reported) rapes, 4,631 robberies, 7,275 aggravated assaults, 40,135 property crimes, 5,414 burglaries, 29,900 larceny thefts, 4,821 car thefts and 191 incidences of arson.

However, according to AreaVibes.com, Las Vegas’ crime rate is 11% above the Nevada average and 62% above the national average. Property crimes are 25% above the national norm.

If you want to live in a low-crime city in Nevada, better you should choose Reno. Last year, it had 759 violent crimes, including two murders, 89 rapes, 140 robberies, and 528 aggravated assaults, along with 3,088 property crimes, 484 burglaries, 2,082 larceny thefts, 522 car thefts, and six arsons. Not the cleanest police blotter, perhaps, but one a bit more reassuring than Las Vegas’.

As far as the Strip is concerned, Las Vegas criminals seem to prefer robbing the casinos directly to preying on pedestrians: A recent stickup at Bellagio ended with a fatal shootout. (Crime didn’t pay.)

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Comments

Donzack Apr-27-2019

Don’t be a victim

Bob Dancer just wrote a blog about carrying his d.l. and cash ticket in a book. I’m sure he’s done this successfully fo years,got comfortable with it and got ripped off in a casino bathroom. Street criminals are desperate opportunists. Just like advantage players they’re looking for the least resistance. If something doesn’t look or feel right, walk away from it. Living in Chicago 70 years, it was interesting for it to be compared to Vegas. I live in the safest police district and crime still occurs. I was glad to see (reported) in your answer. I’ll bet 30/40 % of crime is unreported. I think the strip is very safe. But if your walking around drunk, being unaware of your surroundings, your asking for it to occur. Enjoy yourself,secure your valuables and keep your eyes open. And like mom said, don’t talk to strangers. The homeless, pickpockets and  degenerate gamblers are desperate people. Vegas is the only town that I won’t leave a cash tip on a table. I’m going back to sleep.

Jackie Apr-27-2019

Other Places

The comparison of Reno to Las Vegas should tell you that any other Nevada city than the Las Vegas Metro Area is a hell of a lot safer and has plenty of gambling available and no resort or parking fees.  Plus better buffets, better payback, and friendly Nevadans. (Not many Nevadans in Clark County)

Kevin Lewis Apr-27-2019

not exactly Happy Fun Sunshine Land

Actually, the crime rate in Vegas is much higher than that--every time a resort fee is charged, parking fees are imposed, or a hand of 6:5 blackjack is dealt, it's a crime.

There's another aspect to the crime rate. Metro is apathetic and corrupt. I have been the victim of several crimes in Vegas, and a couple of times, I knew who the perpetrator was and had evidence. The police never did anything besides filing a report. The only crimes that Metro cares about are when a casino is involved.

David Liming Apr-27-2019

Agree Under-Reported

I agree with Kevin, we were victims of a crime and were able to provide the LV police with the name and address of the perpetrators and proof of what they stole, but the police declined to do anything about it saying they didn't have time to pursue anything except physical violence. Maybe we should move????

Roy Furukawa Apr-27-2019

Just like any other city

Just like any other city, it depends on where you are. If you’re walking around the outskirts of downtown vs the Strip, I’d say the Strip is a lot safer. Then again, in Summerlin or Green Valley you’d feel like you are in any suburb in America.

jeepbeer Apr-27-2019

Friendly Nevadans

Mesquite, frequently voted one of the safest cities in Nevada, is just an hour away.  Nice casinos, beautiful country, friendly Nevadans.  Not that I want you to go there.  I don’t.  But every month I drive from the SoCal high desert to Mesquite, thru LV.  Just sayin.

Question of the Day - 27 April 2019

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