LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — It is often said that anything goes in Las Vegas, including prostitution, but out of Nevada's 17 counties, the act is technically legal in only 10 of them, Clark County not included.
Now, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is reporting a nearly 50% increase in prostitution offenses across the Las Vegas valley, with some areas seeing it happen more than others.
“If you walk down there at probably 1 or 2 a.m., you’ll see them on the corner. It’s kind of obvious, too,” said Casey Dyer, who lives near Tropicana Avenue and Valley View Boulevard.
The crime is reported most often in Las Vegas’ Resort Corridor, in downtown and near the convention center, with hundreds of arrests happening each year.
In Spring Valley, police are reporting a more than 230% increase in prostitution offenses compared to the same time last year.
“Vegas is very big on trafficking and everything, and that’s what a lot of people get sucked into, which really sucks. I know it’s hard for police to control it, too,” Dyer said.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the prostitution offenses reported at LVMPD area commands from May 3, 2023 to May 3, 2024.
Las Vegas Valley
YTD 2023: 566
YTD 2024: 838
Percent change: 48.1%
Convention Center Area Command
YTD 2023: 465
YTD 2024: 566
Percent change: 21.7%
Spring Valley Area Command
YTD 2023: 47
YTD 2024: 157
Percent change: 234%
Downtown Area Command
YTD 2023: 42
YTD 2024: 79
Percent change: 88.1%
Enterprise Area Command
YTD 2023: 2
YTD 2024: 8
Percent change: 300%
South Central Area Command
YTD 2023: 4
YTD 2024: 13
Percent change: 225%
Northeast Area Command
YTD 2023: 1
YTD 2024: 3
Percent change: 200%
Bolden Area Command
YTD 2023: 1
YTD 2024: 2
Percent change: 100%
Northwest Area Command
YTD 2023: 1
YTD 2024: 0
Percent change: -100%
Southeast Area Command
YTD 2023: 0
YTD 2024: 3
Percent change: Not specified in Metro's report
Summerlin Area Command
YTD 2023: 2
YTD 2024: 6
Percent change: 200%
