More cameras on the Strip?

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007 | 6:47 a.m.

Although the Strip and the resorts along it already are among the world's most intensely monitored areas in terms of security surveillance, Las Vegas Boulevard may be about to get a new set of eyes watching over it - and not everyone feels safer because of it.

If the Regional Transportation Commission approves a $554,000 contract with Motorola Inc. at its meeting today, a closed-circuit television surveillance network using wireless technology would cover the 5.3 miles of Las Vegas Boulevard from Tropicana Avenue to Fremont Street.

The high-tech gear would include four video cameras mounted on traffic or streetlamp poles near the MGM Grand, Flamingo Road, Slots A Fun and the Fremont Street Experience.

Given the heavy surveillance that already exists, four new cameras near congested parts of Las Vegas Boulevard, the RTC's most heavily used route, might seem overkill.

But RTC officials don't see it that way. The system, which could be in place by February, would help ensure the safety of bus passengers and employees by supplying real-time video feeds to be shared with Metro Police and the commission's security personnel.

Representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada criticized the proposed system as another example of government invasion of privacy.

"This is not about legitimate law enforcement but about getting money to spy on people," ACLU attorney Allen Lichtenstein said.

Almost all the funding for the Motorola contract would come from a Homeland Security Department grant.

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, many law enforcement officials identified Las Vegas as a likely terrorism target because of its status as a world-class tourist destination.

Rick Moore, RTC information technology director, acknowledged that the agency is not in the business of detecting terrorist activities, but said it is confronted with issues "we'd rather not divulge that might be described as a threat."

"This is to shore up our security system," he said.

Lichtenstein, though, questioned the use of the federal grant, saying the RTC and other agencies have been using this funding source for purposes other than fighting terrorism.

"What does this have to do with homeland security?" Lichtenstein said.

Motorola's video cameras would send their signals to RTC's security center via a series of wireless routers and other "intelligent" devices installed along the Strip.

A major selling point of the system, Moore said, is it is far less expensive than so-called hard wire technology.

Motorola, which declined to comment, has persuaded many city, county and public safety agencies nationwide to use versions of its so-called Motomesh broadband technology.

The first to do so was Wake County, N.C., which bought the system in late 2005 so police could monitor a stadium used by North Carolina State University and a county fairground. Police in Detroit and Miami used versions of the system during the past two Super Bowls.

Motomesh also is being used by the Los Angeles Police Department to monitor a public housing project in Watts known for heavy gang activity.