Editorial: Protecting Las Vegas

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007 | 7:39 a.m.

Las Vegas ranks ninth on a list of potential terrorist targets in America, according to researchers at the Rand Corp.

In a study for the Homeland Security Department touting a method of assessing risk, Rand used Las Vegas as a case study for how the government could better assess potential threats. It put Las Vegas in the third tier of possible targets, behind cities such as New York, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Of course, that should come as no surprise to anyone outside the department.

Last year federal officials released a list of 35 cities deemed terrorist targets and thus eligible for homeland security grants. The list, based on "3.2 billion calculations," included Oklahoma City, Cleveland and Seattle, but not Las Vegas. It took pressure from Nevada's congressional delegation to restore Las Vegas to the list.

Then-Sheriff Bill Young was dumbfounded.

"Open your eyes," he said at the time. "In the fanatical Muslim world, we embody everything they hate about America. We have drinking, gambling, scantily clad women. This is what we market and push out there in the world."

The Rand study apparently followed Young's advice, looking around for potential targets. It noted the number of "iconic" casinos.

"Las Vegas stands out in having a high proportion of high-likelihood targets compared to the nation as a whole," the report said, noting that "hotels and central business districts are the highest-risk targets."

The report also assessed potential damage from a terrorist attack. The Rand researchers suggested a model the federal government could use to do similar assessments and strengthen the nation's defenses.

Quite simply, the report quantifies common sense, something that has been drastically lacking at the Homeland Security Department.

We hope Homeland Security officials take action on the Rand report and provide local law enforcement with the support needed to better protect Las Vegas.