Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 | 3:28 p.m.
Metro Police have spent “countless hours” listening to community feedback and planning to ensure residents and tourists are safe during the Las Vegas Grand Prix event next week, officials said.
“Since the event ended last year, there’s been at least 10 meetings a month it seems like, where we get together with everybody,” Metro Undersheriff Andrew Walsh said during a news conference Wednesday, “I don’t think it ever ends, the planning, because what we learned from other events as well can be implemented in this.”
Hundreds of security officials from Metro and private security agencies will be out in force on the Las Vegas Strip during the races Nov. 21-23. Restrictions on glass bottles, strollers and backpacks will be enforced in the resort corridor.
“We don’t put out a particular number, but the number will be very high, you’d be hard pressed to say that you’re going to go very far without seeing a police officer,” Walsh said.
Walsh and other Clark County officials stressed the newer security measures being implemented were made in response to lessons learned during last year’s race and other large-scale events hosted since, including the Super Bowl and the New Year’s celebration. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend race events throughout the week.
The 3.8 mile, 17-turn track takes up part of Las Vegas Boulevard, Koval Lane and Harmon and Sands avenues, and parts of the roads will close starting at 3 p.m. each event day and reopen by 4 a.m. Metro officials also touted upgraded barriers and safety enclosures around the track to prevent items from falling onto the raceway.
The Federal Aviation Administration will also be implementing a no-drone zone over the raceway and surrounding areas, and violators could incur a $30,000 fine and potential criminal prosecution. For enforcement and surveillance for the event, Metro will be deploying its own drones in the area.
Officials from across the county said they expect the event to run smoothly with the guidelines in place, largely in part to the minute level of community responses and support helping to shape the policies.
“A lot of things that we learn as we go on, and a lot of feedback from the community — it’s continual,” Walsh said. “It doesn’t seem to be an end to this planning process for these large events.”