The number of tourists to Sin City has dropped significantly under the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant crackdown and aggressive politics toward countries like Canada. Still, the Las Vegas Strip sees significant congestion from foot traffic around the most famous casinos and hotels.
The commissioners of Clark County in January 2024 passed a new county ordinance making it a misdemeanor to “stop, stand, or do something to cause someone to stop or stand” on the elevated walkways connecting the hotels.
The law was presented as an anti-crowding measure designed to crack down on unauthorized street performers or those who purposefully cause pile-ups around elevators or escalators.
However, it is written in a way that allows authorities to hit anyone deemed to be standing too long with a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail.
Las Vegas judge strikes down challenge to Strip stopping law
The law has been controversial since the start and was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Nevada on behalf of a plaintiff in a wheelchair, as well as two street performers playing the violin and cello.
On Sept. 25, U.S. District Judge Jennifer Dorsey upheld the ordinance with the ruling that it “does not substantially burden constitutionally protected activity,” the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
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This means anyone found lingering too long on the elevated walkways can continue to be charged with a misdemeanor, although enforcement has been inconsistent and heavily dependent on the level of foot traffic at any given time.
Dorsey brought up statistics indicating that only approximately 6% of the Strip’s sidewalk space is near an entrance to an escalator or an elevator, yet the law applies to the entirety of the elevated walkways.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Undersheriff Andrew Walsh previously said the law is a way to promote public safety and avoid “crowd crush,” according to Las Vegas Weekly, but officers are instructed to issue warnings and educate on the law before making an arrest.
Data from Clark County shows 122 citations and arrests under the ordinance since 2024.
BalkansCat / Getty Images
What the “stop and stand” law means for visitors to Las Vegas
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department representatives had previously also said that those stopping to take selfies would not be targeted.
But ACLU Nevada Executive Director Athar Haseebullah called the ruling that puts an end to the law being challenged in court “somewhat of a dangerous decision” that will be unevenly enforced.
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“I just think it’s inherently problematic to undercut Nevada’s First Amendment rights at the behest of law enforcement, government officials and big casino corporations that don’t hold the same value for ordinary people’s rights as they do for a bottom line,” Haseebullah told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
His statement also suggests the law may scare off tourists at a time when Las Vegas is already losing them.
Christopher Peterson of ACLU of Nevada told Fox 5 Vegas that “the Las Vegas Boulevard belongs to all of us.”
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