Police substation covering Strip opens Saturday

Las Vegas police on Tuesday announced the opening of a new substation to cover crimes in the resort corridor on the Strip.

The Convention Center Area Command is the eighth area command for the Metropolitan Police Department and will oversee the area bordered by Sahara Avenue, Russell Road, Interstate 15 and Swenson Street.

Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie said the new substation, on the northwest corner of Swenson Street and Sierra Vista Drive, near Desert Inn Road, was much needed in an area surrounded by low-rent apartments.

"Many of us who have worked in the department for many years know this presence is really needed," he said.

The $17 million substation, which opens Saturday, was paid for by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which is leasing the space to the department.

Convention authority President and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter said having police to exclusively cover the area would be a selling point for conventioneers.

"It gives a great selling tool for convention delegates," Ralenkotter said.

Previous crimes on the Strip were being covered by officers from the South Central Area Command.

Capt. Charles Hank said the new substation would house 90 officers, 14 detectives, 20 supervisors and 15 civilian employees.