SUN EDITORIAL:

Strippers on the Strip

Truck carrying dancers may attract business, but is it too much, even here?

Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 | 2:07 a.m.

Clark County commissioners are planning to consider the legality of the latest advertising venture to grace the Strip — a truck carrying scantily clad female dancers. The truck advertises a group of strip clubs.

The truck is about the size of a U-Haul, and the back has Plexiglas panels and a well-lit interior showing the dancers inside. Three women, dressed in skintight bikinis and clear-plastic high heels, take turns dancing around a stripper pole as the truck drives up and down the Strip. The dancers also use a PA system to invite people to follow them to the clubs.

According to the clubs, the truck, which is scheduled to run late at night, has been good for business. It has, however, garnered its share of critics. As Joe Schoenmann reported in Wednesday’s Las Vegas Sun, Commissioners Steve Sisolak and Chris Giunchigliani believe the truck is in violation of the law, which they say prohibits advertising-only vehicles. They are also concerned that the truck could cause accidents if drivers pay more attention to the dancers than the road.

A Metro Police spokesman said as long as the truck isn’t impeding traffic, it’s legal. The commissioners, however, plan to discuss the issue at their meeting Tuesday.

This is hardly the largest issue facing Nevada, particularly with the dismal economy, but it is worth addressing. For years policymakers have tried to balance the Sin City image with residents’ quality of life. In the past, residents have expressed outrage over racy billboards and ads on taxis that left little to the imagination. Drive along Interstate 15 and streets near the Strip and you’ll see plenty of signs and billboards pointing the way to gentlemen’s clubs.

Visitors are attracted by the city’s party reputation. They should have a good time and enjoy all the area has to offer. However, the Sin City image shouldn’t be shoved in people’s faces with roving strippers hawking their wares.

Discussion: 11 comments so far…

By Burrittobandit2

11/13/09 at 3:42 a.m.

Suggest removal

Hey, they can shove it my way anytime!!!!!!!!! Sure would like to be the driver of that truck.
By LarryVegas

11/13/09 at 6:56 a.m.

Suggest removal

Have they published a schedule of the "truck" yet?

I want to take a lawn chair and a cooler down to the strip and watch the show. Maybe I should take a bicycle so I can ride along side and not miss any of the show.

What could be better... Hung up in traffic beside this piece of humanity...
By wwunlv

11/13/09 at 6:57 a.m.

Suggest removal

I totally agree with what Sisolak said in the article earlier this week. What happens when someone looking at the strippers loses control of their car and plows down tourists on the sidewalk.

This has gone too far even for Vegas. Beside that it is very tacky and gross.

Where is the rest of the commission and why don't they say anything. Do the others even care?
By arthursmail

11/13/09 at 7:39 a.m.

Suggest removal

i called metro yesterday and asked them if i would be cited if i drove down the strip with people standing up in the back of my pickup, they said i would indeed be cited, i said how about a uhaul, again i would be cited,, my question is,, what would i be cited for, if its legal for them why not me
By JohnnyTwoFingaz

11/13/09 at 10:23 a.m.

Suggest removal

Hey editor, you clearly enjoy the company of men. How about you move to San Francisco instead?
By POWERPLAY

11/13/09 at 10:44 a.m.

Suggest removal

One of these days some drunk driver who is girl watching is going to plow into a sidewalk full of people and that story is going to be broadcasted around the world. Lets just hope that the fire department dos not have to pull a baby stroller out from under his car or truck while the tourist are taking pictures and those pics end up on you-tube.
By arthursmail

11/13/09 at 11:14 a.m.

Suggest removal

@johnny, i have talked to the editor,, he is about safety, so stop being a neandrethal,
By JohnnyTwoFingaz

11/13/09 at 2:18 p.m.

Suggest removal

Safety? Don't make me laugh. You obviously have never set foot on the strip where tourists are busy gawking at water shows, pirate ships, pyramids, and rollercoasters instead of paying attention to the road. This is no different.
By boftx

11/13/09 at 5:58 p.m.

Suggest removal

The ONLY issue that should be considered here is safety, not the morality or image aspects.

If they want to enforce and existing law then they damn well better enforce it fairly and evenly on anyone else, too. I think the rolling billboards are a significant saftey risk, but apparently others think the law shouldn't be enforced.

As for image or morality? Get real, this is Vegas, baby, it's our bread and butter. Hasn't government at one level or another done enough already to kill us?
By pgctg141

11/13/09 at 8 p.m.

Suggest removal

If someone screws this up it will be government.
By arthursmail

11/14/09 at 8:02 a.m.

Suggest removal

@johnny, didnt you read my earlier post,, you cant stand up in a moving vehicle, geez and i was born in vegas,, bet you werent

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