You have some interesting points in your article, Richard. But I don't see it and I get the impression LVMPD is looking at it a lot differently than you are.

LVMPD seems to be approaching the problem the same way that the casinos approach it; but looking at it as trespassing and trying to keep them away. Because, in the past, their "sting operations" and "p*#%y posse round ups" have not worked. It's just a way of going at it differently.

And yes, this does not solve all the problems such as escorts, whether their services are summoned by tourists and/or casinos. But you know what? You gotta start somewhere, Richard. And LVMPD appears to be doing something to fix it, and it may be baby steps, but they are trying, no matter if people want them to eradicate this problem or not. But you have to admit the approach is novel by trying to make a "No Hook Zone."

As mentioned in the LVRJ article (but overlooked and not commented about much) is the fact that out of these identified women, probably a good majority of them participate as "trick rollers." Trick rollers always operate under the law enforcement radar because they target and pick up on married "johns" who they know won't press charges if they rip them off, for fear their wife they are cheating on finds out. Most prostitutes want to get the money without having to give out anything for it. Their pimps highly encourage any method that achieves this end to get the money also.

This initiative to trespass them because they are in a posted and clearly defined corridor along the Strip is just something to strive to be more proactive and approach it from another angle. And it makes sense. Because all the other ways of trying to stop prostitution don't work. And LVMPD threw a new twist on it by posting pictures of the real nuisance ones. And I guarantee these pictures are posted with casino security to assist in getting rid of them. So, it may prove to be successful because you have everyone working from the same sheet of paper to eradicate it...both police and casino security.

I'm not sure about your contention that it coincides with the controversy about legal prostitution in Las Vegas. I say it probably isn't and the timing is just coincidental. Because LVMPD does routine "stings" and "round ups" along the Strip to chase the prostitutes off and discourage the "johns." One thing this does reap benefits for is to assist in attracting to Las Vegas....in that efforts are being made to make the Strip more safe.

I guess there is a point made somewhere that prostitution is a victimless crime, but it sure seems to lead to other things like drugs, disease, murder, robbery, etc. And it HAS to be enforced, whether people want it enforced or not. Look back at the incident that occurred about two years ago at the Mandalay Bay where a local prostitute was murdered on the 22nd floor and the body left in the hallway by a "john" (and the guy subsequently confessed and caught in Los Angeles and sent back for trial). And this effort by LVMPD is smart to try to clean it all up and provide a valuable service to the tourists as well as the casinos. Besides an effort to make their job easier so they aren't responding to murder scenes more and more. LVMPD is put in a position to provide for tourists' safety, whether they want it or not. And I'm sure the casinos appreciate this too. Because after all tourism is the lifeblood of Las Vegas.

I do know they have an uphill battle though. Every large city in the world has the same problem in trying to get rid of the world's oldest profession. Las Vegas makes it even harder...mainly because of their ad campaigns that hint at sex, sex, sex. In the long run, this may only prove to be an attempt to fight a charging lion armed with only a toothpick.

One thing I do know from the past, the only thing that chases a hooker from the Strip? And it's a guarantee? Rain. When it rains, they disappear. It's sorta like a cat. They can't stand getting their fur wet. So, maybe these new initiatives, along with a lot of rain showers, may prove to be successful.

Good point, Jinx.

I look at this pretty much like Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD) looks at it. Sure, there probably is a case to legalize prostitution and it will increase tax revenue, make it safer for everyone, blah blah blah, but we're dealing with the here and now. LVMPD cannot factor in intangibles.

And the here and now is that LVMPD operates according to the law and is confined to that. And the law now is that prostitution is illegal in Clark County. And I would bet that LVMPD has the statistics to back it up that they needed to do something. If they were to wait for people to jump up and down about legalizing it, waiting patiently for this law to change, don't do anything about the prostitution problem on the Strip as it stands now, and their crime statistics snowball out of control in this area because of the various off shoot crimes resulting from it, they are doing everyone an injustice by turning a blind eye and not trying to be proactive and stay on top (forgive the pun) of the existing problem.

And yes, I guess there is a moral point that if a married man comes and solicits a "trick roller" and subsequently gets ripped off, most people probably say that is justice and he deserves what he gets...shame on him for cheating on his wife. On a moral level, I agree with this reasoning. But, in the real world, LVMPD, like any professional police department in any large city in the U.S. or around the world, cannot operate like that. Those types of victims are to be protected. Not their fault they are not a shining example of a victim.

So, it seems like minds have got together and they are doing something that's never been done before in Clark County. Whether it's the right way of going about it? Will it make a difference? Will it clean up the Strip? Don't know. We'll see. But like I said, it's a start.

I think that it is fair game for any business to not want that sort of clientale or solicitation inside their buildings. I can definitely understand where a family may find it offensive for that to be right in front of their faces. Now Vegas may not be the best place for Family Vacations... or is it? Either way, I think that a crackdown like this is helpful. I bet there are some funny conversations overheard in Vegas... especially in reference to prostitution.... Check out http://www.hearditinvegas.com.