[NLVgal]

Oh, we're going to take OP's money all right. But it won't be muggers or hotel maids.

[Sethro80]

Stay in the tourist areas and you *should* be fine. If you see shady characters, stay away. Just use common sense. Millions of people per year visit and for the most part they stay alive.

Before I lived here, I came here for vacation and ventured all over the valley. Walked all over downtown, etc. Probably not the smartest thing at the time, nobody bothered me and I just minded my own business.

[calisoccer99]

Originally Posted by robojester

Sorry you got got me rolling and laffing!

Where are you coming here from if I may ask?

Are you "city smart"?

Unless you plan to walk around obviously deserted areas I am sure you will have no problems if you are used to living in a city.

Think she is from Omaha NE, I visited there once and some guys cornered me down a dark ally selling corn and they would let me leave until I gave them a 10 dollar "tip"

[VLWH]

Originally Posted by lovtravel

We are going to Vegas very soon but I am nervous....I hear the maids burgularize the guests in hotel rooms while they are out of the rooms. I hear there are lots of muggings and shootings near Stratosphere and Fremont St. I am assuming lots of this is exaggerated but any advise what areas to avoid?

Be smart and use common sense. Don't leave any valuables in your hotel room. This goes for any city, any hotel. Now get your bad self to Vegas and party.

[Daddys///M3]

I've spent time in some of the worst areas in Vegas. They are nowhere near the strip. I saw more violence and crime when I lived in Seattle. Like someone said, you're overthinking. Feel free to come to the city and don't be scared of walking down the street. Don't try to locate drugs or craigslist hookups at 2AM and you will be okay. And don't be afraid to go off strip. There are many wonderful things to see and do in this city that are not on LV BLVD.

[Camaro5]

I have been going to Vegas since 1979 and have been all over the valley. The worst things I've encountered are some hookers and the porn slappers in front of Harrah's.

I can understand if someone asked which areas to avoid, but the other stuff is just common sense precautions that a person should use anywhere, not just in Las Vegas.

[robojester]

Having been to Omaha/ council bluffs area several times I can tell you our City is no worse that the bad areas in your home town and no where near as bad as say St Louis.

Just to give you some reference.

Maybe I should start a rent a local service
No not for that I know we already have whores. Just to keep em safe .

[WVREDLEG]

Take a deep breath, pack your party suit, all your savings, and get out here.

There are many wise comments here about safeguarding your stuff--follow the advice.

Stick to the neon and you will be okay. Trouble is waiting in the shadows at 2 AM everywhere, not just Las Vegas.

[mstnghu2]

I've been visiting Las Vegas since I was in diapers. My grandparents retired there and I visited them every summer as a kid. Even since they've passed away, I've been to Vegas many times and have stayed in quite a few hotels along the strip. I've never once been a victim of crime. My grandparents lived on the east side of the valley at the base of Sunrise Mt., near the Mormon temple. Supposedly that's a not-so-great part of town. I spent lots of time there growing up and nothing bad ever happened to me.

Of course there are sketchy areas and crime does happen. The same could be said for many places all around the world. If you're going as a tourist, I can't imagine what you'd be doing hanging out in the sketchy areas. You don't typically end up in them by accident. The strip is bustling with people out all hours of the day and night and there is lots of private security and police around.

I'd be more concerned about the slot machines victimizing me than anything else.

[Jukesgrrl]

A detective from the robbery squad of the Miami/Dade PD gave me a good piece of advice when I was traveling from coast to coast on business trips: Close and lock the room safe even if you aren't using it. Larcenous hotel employees see a safe NOT being used and the assume valuables are scattered throughout the room. If they see a locked safe, they are more likely to leave you alone because they won't go the trouble to break into a safe and they assume that's where your valuables are. If you're leaving your safe unused, they start looking for cash, jewelry, credit cards, etc., elsewhere in the room.

To the OP I would add: I've been some pretty seedy places off and on for decades and the only time I've ever been robbed I was in my home.