It is now illegal to stop, stand or cause other people to stop on pedestrian bridges along the Las Vegas Strip. The Clark County Commission unanimously approved the new ordinance as part of an effort to reduce potential crime and improve traffic flow.
The ordinance makes it a misdemeanor to loiter on the bridges, punishable with up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
There are some exceptions. People can stop briefly to take pictures, gaze at the Strip, or wait for elevators.
Commission Chair Tick Segerblom, says there’s a need to protect traffic flow on the bridges.
“This is a work in progress. We need to really monitor this, so I would urge everyone to really make sure that this is enforced correctly. The lifeblood of the strip are these walkways, we wouldn't be here unless there was a need for it. But we also need to make sure that we don't over correct something.”
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police and the Nevada Resort Association also voiced support for the new ordinance, however, some are concerned the new law will disproportionately impact the poor and unhoused.
Eve Hanan is the misdemeanor clinic director at the Thomas and Mack Legal Clinic. She says the ordinance turns an urban planning issue into a criminal one.
“Our clients, they’re people who may be trying to make money doing something without the proper license. Those are existing crimes. To add more crimes, to put more fines on them, to put them in positions where they have open cases for months and years, which inhibits them from getting jobs. It’s simply not good policy.”
The ordinance is set to take effect later this month. Civil liberties groups such as the ACLU of Nevada have vowed to challenge the law in court.
A representative provided a statement on behalf of the county, calling the measure one of safety.
“The Board of Clark County Commissioners today passed an ordinance that would allow for free movement on the pedestrian walkways to reduce crime and enhance safety along the Las Vegas Boulevard. The Pedestrian Flow Zone ordinance will help to ensure our world-class tourism destination remains a safe place for people to visit and transverse. Through this ordinance, to maintain the safe and continuous movement of pedestrian traffic, it is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or engage in an activity that causes another person to stop or stand within any Pedestrian Flow Zone. This is not interpreted to mean that tourists and locals cannot take photos along the Boulevard while on a pedestrian bridge, but rather is intended to maintain the safe and continuous movement of pedestrians on the bridges to ensure pedestrian safety on the bridges.
The ordinance is narrowly written to accomplish the County’s important objective of reducing the incidence and risk of crime and serious safety issues on pedestrian bridges and allows pedestrians to freely and safely get to their desired location.”
