Security Checks Reinstated
This past Friday night, I got all dressed up excited for a night of dancing and lighthearted debauchery at the largest outdoor party in the world: the Las Vegas Fremont St Experience. So, I’m walking down Fremont and come to the entrance at Las Vegas Blvd. Imagine my surprise when I’m greeted by a long line, metal detectors, and security guards! Instantly agitated, I used my awesome Las Vegas local brilliance and found a way to bypass ALL the security checks that night. Keep reading, and you too will know how to bypass these phony security checks.
The reinstatement of the security checks on Fremont St has been brought about by a spate of recent shootings, including the one that occurred in the early mornings of July 4th (which I have written about here). There was a shooting that occurred on Sunday, June 19th in which 23-year-old Raymond Renova was shot multiple times and died.
I only have information about those two shootings, but apparently, there were two others. There have been some incidents of violence, including a 55-year-old Uber driver who was brutally attacked by passengers. Here is a link to the article: link.
This wouldn’t be the first time Fremont St enacted extra security measures and barricades due to violence. On New Year’s Eve 2020, extra covid measures were enacted on Fremont St and the use of barricades and security checks were enacted. I went to Fremont St on New Year’s and it was dead and empty, goal achieved. Except, not really, because everyone then decided to go to the Las Vegas Strip, which had little to no covid protections. The Strip stuck to its guns and decided to open its streets to guests and locals alike.
Until further notice, this recent new security check will continue. The security checks will apparently only be occurring on weekends. You won’t be able to bring in any bottles, bags (only big bags, hopefully), and no outside alcohol. Extremely tedious to not allow bottles, which I use to carry water because, I don’t know, Las Vegas is a desert and maybe dehydration can set in quickly without you even realizing it? Here’s a link to the article if you want to know about the nuances and tedium of this operation.
A Local’s Perspective
Now, I understand that they’re doing this to save face. In the summer of 2020, the violence on Fremont St was pretty frequent and increasingly violent. But being a local, we all know the real reason why they’re doing this. I bet, I swear on it, these security checks will last for a month, tops. Two months maximum, because that’s how long they’ve lasted every time.
The security checks aim to “show” guests how safe Las Vegas is. Our entire economy is based on tourism, so when news gets out that there was violence on the Strip or Fremont St, a lot of people’s livelihoods are put at stake. Violence discourages tourism, but increased security in the form of the presence of over-militarized police, more Fremont St officers, security checks, and barricades is not only expensive and an eye-sore, but it’s also a disruption to the flow and vibe on Fremont St. It makes Fremont St—marketed as this gigantic, outdoor adult party fest— look and feel as a warzone. That can’t be good for business. The only thing increased police presence will do is harass random people for small infractions, which I observed happen twice this past Friday night. Also, people are being pulled over, mostly Black, for absolutely nothing.
Wherever you travel, you assume risk and danger. You could be robbed or worse. Las Vegas is no different. We’re no safe haven, but that’s any place. We have our fair share of crime and lawlessness as any other place. The next time you travel to Vegas, play it safe and act smart as a guest here.
How to avoid security checks
For those of you who don’t want more cops ruining your vibe, give it about a month and the coast should be clear. For locals like me who turn their nose up at the thought of being checked and harassed in your own neighborhood, and those brave enough to travel to the dangerous Fremont St, here’s how to get past those pesky security checks. You simply…
Go around. No, I mean it. Seriously. You simply walk around.
Here’s the trick: there are only two security checks on Fremont St because there are only two street entrances that can be fortified against. There is a security check at the first entrance, Fremont St and Las Vegas Blvd, and a security check at the next main entrance, Fremont and 4th St.
The first entrance at Las Vegas Blvd, there’s no point going in that way, because you’ll just get stuck at the second security check. Security is not allowed, at all, not even police, to barricade and fortify the entrances to the casinos. All hell would break loose and the mother of lawsuits would start if police tried to overstep the casinos like that.
So, all you gots to do is walk down either Carson St or Ogden St to the casinos adjacent to Fremont St. If you go down Carson, these casinos are the way you get in: The D Las Vegas, the Four Queens, the Golden Nugget, and the Golden Gate. If you choose to go down Ogden, your options are: Fremont Hotel, Binions, and The Circa. You may encounter an ID check at The D and you will at Circa, but as long as you are 21 and over, you should be fine.
When you have chosen your route, just go into the streetside entrance of the casino because they all have streetside entrances. Like Alice going down the rabbit hole, you’ll walk in on the street and walk out on Fremont St. It’s just that simple!
And there you have it, folks. For more Las Vegas secrets and random opinion pieces, keep this blog in your bookmarks.