Las Vegas faces terror concerns amid global tensions, but experts ensure safety
Las Vegas faces terror concerns amid global tensions, but experts ensure safety
As questions linger about the implications of U.S. actions on global affairs, concerns about potential terror threats in Las Vegas have resurfaced.
The city, known for its bustling tourism industry, has been identified as a potential target due to its concentration of hotels, casinos, and skyscrapers.
Shanelle Duncan, a resident, expressed a sense of security despite global tensions. "There's some tensions going on with everything that's been happening, but for the most part, I feel fairly safe here in Vegas," she said.
In contrast, Bobby Gonzales, a former military member, voiced his concerns. "You think they don't have sleeper cells? I was in the military!" he said, adding that he would avoid the Strip on the Fourth of July.
Research by the RAND Corporation previously ranked Las Vegas ninth among cities at risk for a terror attack, citing its high-profile targets.
However, this analysis was published in 2007, shortly after the 9/11 attacks.
Retired Metro Sergeant Ashton Packe, who has experience in counter-terrorism, highlighted the advancements in local law enforcement's intelligence capabilities. "The fusion center here in Southern Nevada is a Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, and I really describe it as the heartbeat of the police department outside of dispatch," he said.
Packe emphasized the importance of vigilance against lone actors rather than organized sleeper cells. "I call them stray dogs. We had the worst attack in American history here. Was not a sleeper cell. Was not a terrorist attack, per se. It was one angry individual who took out his wrath on a bunch of strangers from a distance," he said, referencing the 1 October tragedy.
Despite the potential threats, Packe assured that Las Vegas is now one of the safest cities globally, thanks to the collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies.
He confidently stated, "The safest place to be in America on July 4th will be the Las Vegas Strip."
