TLDR
- Clark County put up digital signs on the Las Vegas Strip on October 16 saying tourists do not have to pay street performers for photos.
- The signs tell visitors who feel threatened to find a police officer or call 911.
- The campaign follows a September incident where two showgirl impersonators allegedly attacked a North Carolina couple after a $20 photo.
- Critics have suggested stronger enforcement, undercover operations and permits for street performers.
- The two women charged in the alleged assault are scheduled to return to court on December 3.
Clark County has put up new digital signs on the Las Vegas Strip. The messages remind tourists that they do not have to pay street performers or costumed characters for photos.
The signs went up on electronic displays along Las Vegas Boulevard on October 16. They tell visitors they can watch performers or take pictures without leaving money.
The messages also tell anyone who feels threatened to find a police officer or call 911, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Clark County Responds to Strip Incident
Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft announced the campaign on social media on October 17. He asked visitors to remember that paying for photos with performers is not required.
County officials said the effort is about public safety. It aims to make clear the rights of pedestrians in an area where entertainers often approach tourists for tips.
The campaign follows an incident in September involving Eric Richards and Merihazel Walters. The couple, from Charlotte, North Carolina, had traveled to Las Vegas for their wedding.
They posed for pictures with two women dressed as showgirls outside the Paris Las Vegas. The couple paid $20, but the performers allegedly asked for more money.
According to a police report, one of the women, Jennifer Ortiz, followed Richards as he tried to leave and allegedly attacked him. Walters told investigators that the second woman, Magdellena Romero, hit her several times when she stepped in.
Both visitors were hurt, police documents say. Richards suffered a cut across his forehead. Surveillance footage and other video reportedly supported the couple’s account.
Debate Over Visitor Safety and Tourism
The incident has led to discussion about whether the signs go far enough. Some critics say tourists already know tipping is voluntary but can struggle to walk away when performers refuse to accept a no.
Ideas shared online include more police enforcement, undercover operations and permits for street performers. Others have told tourists not to hand money to people asking for it on crowded sidewalks.
The campaign comes as Las Vegas works to keep drawing visitors. A September report showed average Strip hotel room rates fell 10% year over year in August and 5% in September. October rates were reported to be 7% higher.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has also approved a marketing deal worth up to $1.45 million to attract Australian tourists. The deal supports a planned seasonal nonstop Qantas flight between Sydney and Las Vegas, set to launch in December.
Las Vegas also remains a major spot for business events. It ranked No. 2 on Cvent’s list of top North American convention cities for 2025, behind Orlando. Three Las Vegas resorts made the top 10 list of convention hotels.
Ortiz, 26, and Romero, 43, were arrested in connection with the alleged assault. Both are scheduled to return to court on December 3.
