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Opinion
Jul. 15, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Las Vegas a dark-hearted town

GEOFF SCHUMACHER
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I'm a grumpy old man today.

I'm frustrated by the callous heart of Las Vegas, and I'm angered by the behavior of some of the people who visit our city.

These strong feelings have arisen in the wake of the recent shooting incident at the New York-New York hotel-casino.

At least two aspects of the story really burn me up.

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    • First, we have a case of genuine heroism. Steve Zegrean's July 6 shooting spree ended when a North Dakota visitor, Justin Lampert, jumped on the gunman, put him in a headlock and threw him to the ground. Then three other men, also tourists, rushed to help Lampert keep the raging Zegrean under control until police arrived.

    We should be careful throwing around the word hero, which is uttered way too often these days. But Lampert, David James, Bob Ura and Paul Ura are deserving of the honorific. By risking their lives to subdue Zegrean, they likely saved some lives in the casino.

    So, what has Las Vegas done to celebrate and honor these acts of heroism?

    Not a damn thing. What kind of dark-hearted town is this?

    MGM Mirage, the company that owns New York-New York, has promised to give the men free rooms when they return to Las Vegas. That's cool. But when a Review-Journal reporter interviewed David James last week, four days after the heroic event, he said he had not yet been contacted by the casino company.

    Here's what should happen: The community ought to throw a ticker-tape parade for these guys. Right down the Strip. And couldn't MGM Mirage treat them like high-rollers for a night or two?

    It's the very least a grateful city would do.

    Of course, there's a reason this is not happening: greed.

    The New York-New York shooting was bad press for Las Vegas. But it was a one-day story on the national news, right? The casino industry doesn't want to remind visitors that a shooting spree took place here, and that if it weren't for these heroic men, it could have been much worse.

    In other words, celebrating their heroism would be bad for business.

    That's cold-blooded thinking, plain and simple.

    Of course, local political leaders don't have to take their cues from casino executives. Clark County commissioners, who represent the Strip corridor, could defy the industry and do something special for these heroes.

    Yes, and desert tortoises could sprout wings and fly.

    OK. Now for part two.

    According to police, Zegrean apparently intended to start his shooting spree about two hours earlier than he did -- about 10:45 p.m. Why did he wait? Because there were too many children in the casino.

    Let's repeat that: too many children in the casino at 10:45 p.m.

    Ah, but there's more. Two hours later, Zegrean started shooting randomly into the casino and hit four people, including a 13-year-old boy.

    Let's repeat that: a 13-year-old boy in the casino at 12:45 a.m.

    Two questions:

    1. What kind of parents allow their kids to mill around Las Vegas casinos in the middle of the night? Call me old-fashioned, but 13-year-olds ought to be in bed at that time. If they are in a casino at 12:45 a.m., they aren't doing anything productive.

    2. Are New York-New York employees really doing their jobs if kids are hanging out in their casino in the middle of the night? Does the state Gaming Control Board care about this? Aren't we enforcing the curfew anymore? Does anybody think this is wrong?

    These are old-fogey views, I realize. I have the same response when parents bring very young children with them to see R-rated movies full of violence and sex. But these views are relevant, I think, to the faint but ongoing discussion of what kind of community we want Las Vegas to be.

    As of now, we don't seem to want to be a community in any sense of the word. A real community would celebrate these acts of heroism, and a real community would be concerned about the notion of young kids running around casinos at all hours of the night. Anyone who's lived here for a while will remember the 1997 case of 7-year-old Sherrice Iverson, who was left unattended late at night in a casino arcade. She was raped and murdered by a sick punk named Jeremy Strohmeyer. I have to wonder: Have we made much progress in the 10 years since that tragedy?

    Las Vegas is a fast-growing, transient city where a high percentage of people are reluctant to put down roots and get involved in civic affairs. In a new survey, Las Vegas ranked dead last among 50 cities in volunteerism. It's clear we face significant hurdles to building a real sense of community here.

    But if Las Vegas is going to evolve into something more substantial than a random gathering of free agents, recognizing these heroes would be a great place to start.

    And, in the second act, let's start asking questions of the resorts and the Gaming Control Board about enforcement of long-standing regulations concerning children in casinos. I just can't imagine a positive effect of impressionable youngsters running loose in a casino.

    Geoff Schumacher (gschumacher@reviewjournal.com) is Stephens Media's director of community publications. He is the author of "Sun, Sin & Suburbia: An Essential History of Modern Las Vegas" and, coming in February, "Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia & Palace Intrigue." His column appears Sunday.



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    Whitney wrote on October 01, 2007 10:16 AM: To Cadance and Don Richey: thank you for your support. Justin ("Jay" to all of his friends) truly is a hero in every aspect of the word. He also is simply the best man I know; not only is he respectful and well-mannered, but his family means everything to him. It did not surprise anyone he knows to find out what he did in Vegas.

    To Geoff Schumaker: Thank you for writing this article. There still has been no offer from MGM on a vacation package or anything of the sort. Jay had tried to contact the casino several times over the past few months, still to no avail. Things could be worse, though. Jay has met all of those who were injured that night and they have been more than grateful... he has done several interviews and even received a personal thank-you from the North Dakota Governor. He truly is just glad he could help.


    V. Ginger Gates wrote on July 16, 2007 02:56 PM: Las Vegas Casinos are what they are - money making machines with little regard for their workers or the people who live in Las Vegas area. Why recognize heroes who saved dozens of lives if it points out the lack of security at the casinos. The past 15 years, Las Vegas has changed from Fun City to a Sick City. Every day there are home invasions, shootings, armed robberies, gang activity along with overly explicit graphic billboards, corrupt officials, beatings and criminal activity at strip clubs. Strip Casinos don't understand that their lack of concern reflects on all of Las Vegas and gets back to other cities regardless of how they try to hide it. Roaming teen gangs assaulting an MGM employee shows the extreme lack of security. As a woman card player, I have to watch out for myself. I play in Tournaments and use hotel Valet Service to park my car. Parking garages are dangerous. Security is lax & casinos remind us that they are not responsible for any damages to you or your car. I'm not surprised by low marks in Clark County of public schools, low volunteer ratio, and overall apathy. Strip casinos need to concern themselves with these matters, because every day their employees continue living these dangerous conditions. Mr. SCHUMACHER I'm encouraged by your article pointing out the lack of recognition for these heroic acts by these visitors. Hopefully, the Strip Casinos will notice and start taking responsibility for the community, their employees and the people of Las Vegas and Clark County. V. Ginger Gates, Laughlin, NV


    paula wrote on July 16, 2007 08:24 AM: all very interesting comments--but will anything be done about the Security & kids in casino's --i doubt it.


    North Dakota wrote on July 15, 2007 06:32 PM: Why can't we have more people like the Richey's in this town? They go out of their way to honor true heroes in today's society. Good for you!

    I also agree with all of Mr. Schumacher's points -- a good and honest (unfortunately) portrayal of Las Vegas and the sad culture it has become.

    "What happens here stays here" is so true when it comes to money, corruption, and the disfunctional people this town brings in or breeds. All we have to do is look no further to our state senator from Searchlight, NV, who waves a white flag of surrender every chance he gets or the pathetic city counsel, who are either indicted, arrested or sitting in prison.

    Justin Lampert --- I salute you as both a fellow soldier and a citizen of Las Vegas, who knows that by putting yourself in harms way, you saved countless people in need of a true hero.


    USSSaratogaWhiz wrote on July 15, 2007 06:20 PM: Tony G, to answer your question, check out this previous post written by "VJ" in response to a 7/10 RJ article:

    VJ wrote on July 10, 2007 12:09 PM:
    TO REPLY TO MR.BARTONS COMMENT ON SECURITY OFFICERS WORKING THE LAS VEGAS STRIP..

    HE IS CORRECT, SECURITY OFFICERS ARE PAID LOW WAGES AND MINIMAL TRAINING. BUT WHAT HE DIDN'T ADD TO IT, IS THEY ARE ALWAYS TOLD BY SECURITY MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS," YOU ARE NOT POLICE OFFICERS. YOU ARE ONLY OUT THERE TO OBSERVE AND REPORT, HELP WITH DIRECTIONS, CHASE THE KIDS AWAY FROM THE SLOT MACHINES AND TRY TO EXPLAIN TO THE DIMWITTED TOURISTS WITH KIDS, THE KIDS CAN'T SIT AT A MACHINE AND PLAY OR SIT/STAND NEXT TO THEIR PARENTS AS THEY PLAY. HELP GUESTS WITH FIRST AID AND HELP IF THEY NEED PARAMEDICS.

    SO IF YOU SEE SOMEONE GETTING ROBBED AT GUN POINT. DON'T RUN IN TO BE A HERO, GET ALL THE INFORMATION YOU CAN AND REPORT IT TO THE POLICE. BUT!!!..IN MOST CASES IF YOU DO ATTEMPT TO ASSIST AND YOU,THE VICTIM OR THE CRIMINAL GETS INJURIED. YOUR ON YOUR OWN IF THERE IS A LAWSUIT BY EITHER THE VICTIM OR THE CRIMINAL.THE CASINO WILL STATE, "WE NEVER TELL THEM TO CHARGE INTO A SITUATION LIKE THAT", WE JUST TELL THEM TO WATCH AND GET AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE..

    ALSO IN MANY CASES YOU CAN KISS YOUR JOB GOOD-BYE

    I AM A SECURITY OFFICER ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP. WE ARE TOLD NOT TO CONFRONT PEOPLE WHO APPEAR TO BE A THREAT TO US OR OTHER PEOPLE.
    THE CASINOS WOULD RATHER SEE THE PERP. ESCAPE THEN HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PROBLEMS IT MAY CAUSE IF A SECURITY OFFICER INJURES HIMSELF OR OTHER BYSTANDERS.

    JUST LOOK INTO PAST STORIES OF CASINO SHOOTINGS, ROBBERIES,,ETC..


    Tony G wrote on July 15, 2007 06:00 PM: Well, is anyone going to ask about the securtiy staff at the New York - New York casino! Where were the casino guards when the shooting started. I guess they all ran to the main cashier's cage to protect the money!


    Dave Walsh wrote on July 15, 2007 01:22 PM: Thanks for being a conscience to this community. With a Gin sponsor at our head some of us in "Sin City" value your opinions and hope we can achieve a city with a more open and caring heart.


    Patte Purcell wrote on July 15, 2007 11:16 AM: I rarely agree with you. However, when it comes to kids in casinos, I couldn't agree more.
    They have no business there.


    Don Richey and Candace Young-Richey wrote on July 15, 2007 09:59 AM: Mr. Schumacher, my husband (former Navy) and I agree with you and believe that you, the media, have done a STELLAR job of bringing all facets/implications of this story to the attention of the public. When we first learned of the shooting, the circumstances of the shooter "take-down," and read an RJ interview with SSgt. Justin Lampert (in which he humbly and jokingly downplayed his heroism), it was clear that, if it weren't for SSgt. Lampert (from North Dakota) and the other heroes (from Florida), the carnage would have been incalculable. It was also clear to me (as a former DOD appointee) there was more to the story regarding SSgt. Lampert. This is what we did to express our gratitude as Las Vegans: 1) I researched and learned that SSgt. Lampert was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq (no surprise); 2) contacted KLAS TV and alerted them to that issue; KLAS then did a story about Lampert being a Bronze Star recipient (thank you, KLAS); 3) contacted several media outlets in both North Dakota and Florida to inform them of the heroism of their finest (the media in these states may have already known, but I just wanted to be sure...); 4) In the case of Lampert (because it was he who made the first move to tackle the shooter), I contacted both his National Guard unit and the president of his university (Lampert is also a student) to tell them how lucky they are to have him and how lucky we were that he visited our city; and, finally; 5) contacted SSgt. Lampert, himself, to personally thank him for his quick-thinking/action and heroism. So, we launched our own version of a ticker-tape parade!