Community Safety Advisory

Las Vegas REALTORS® is sharing the following community safety notice on behalf of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD):

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is writing to inform you of a concerning and dangerous trend impacting our community and to request your vital partnership in addressing it.

We are currently experiencing an influx of incidents involving juveniles breaking into vacant properties, primarily during evening and late night hours. These intrusions are not simple cases of trespassing; they are escalating into large, disruptive, and often dangerous unauthorized parties.

These gatherings have resulted in:

• Significant property damage (vandalism, graffiti, broken fixtures).
• Noise complaints and extreme disruption to surrounding neighbors.
• In several severe instances, violent altercations and criminal acts have occurred, posing a grave risk to the safety of the juveniles involved, neighboring residents, and our responding officers. There is a growing trend in which injured persons file negligence lawsuits against property owners and managers for failing to take steps to prevent criminal activity.

A vacant property is a target for this kind of criminal activity. We need your help to harden these targets and protect our neighborhoods.

How You Can Help: We strongly urge all realtors and property managers to take immediate, proactive steps to secure the vacant properties in your care. Your diligence is our first line of defense.

1. Enhanced Physical Security: Move beyond a simple lockbox.

• Install Sturdy Locks: Use high-quality, commercial-grade deadbolts on all entry doors. Consider using a single keyed lock system for easier management.
• Secure All Points of Entry: Ensure all windows, sliding glass doors (with a charley bar or secondary lock), garage doors, and gates are permanently locked and cannot be forced open easily.
• Board-Up Procedures: For properties expected to be vacant for an extended period, consider professionally boarding up windows and doors to deter entry.

2. Create an Occupied Appearance:

• Lighting & Timers: Install motion-sensor lights on all sides of the property. Use interior light timers to simulate occupancy in the evenings.
• Landscape Maintenance: Keep yards, lawns, and pools well-maintained. Overgrown vegetation provides cover for break-ins. Regularly remove flyers, newspapers, and debris from the doorstep.
• Post Signs: Place prominent "No Trespassing" and "24-Hour Video Surveillance" signs on the property perimeter, even if cameras are not yet installed.

3. Leverage Technology:

• Alarm Systems: Ensure alarm systems are active, monitored, and have working batteries. Post the alarm company's signage prominently.
• Video Surveillance: Install Wi-Fi or cellular-enabled security cameras that provide real-time alerts to your phone or office. This provides critical evidence for investigations.

4. Neighborhood Engagement:

• Inform Neighbors: Encourage the neighbors adjacent to your vacant listing to be your "eyes and ears." Provide them with your direct contact information (or your property manager's) to report any suspicious activity immediately.
• Coordinate with HOAs: If applicable, inform the Homeowners' Association of the property's status and your security measures.

For LVMPD Response: If you or a neighbor see suspicious activity in progress, such as individuals forcing entry or a large group gathering, please call 911 immediately. For non-emergency situations or to provide tips, please call (702) 828-3111.

Your proactive efforts are crucial to preventing crime and keeping our communities safe. By working together, we can protect your investments, preserve neighborhood integrity, and, most importantly, prevent a tragic outcome from occurring at one of these events.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this critical matter and for your continued partnership.