Sara: Safety in Reno

[Sara]

Parker or others,

Is it safe to walk to the National Bowling Conference building from the downtown area? My girlfriend and I will be making a trip to Reno to play blackjack in June. Is it safe to play and travel in the Sparks area?

Thanks,

Sara

[Parker]

> Parker or others,

> Is it safe to walk to the National Bowling
> Conference building from the downtown area?
> My girlfriend and I will be making a trip to
> Reno to play blackjack in June. Is it safe
> to play and travel in the Sparks area?

Reno is a small town. I have never felt the least bit unsafe anywhere there, not even in the wee hours of the night.

However, you occasionally see some unsavory types around the downtown area late at night. I've found them to be generally harmless, but some might find them a bit intimidating.

None of the casinos in Sparks are within walking distance of each other, so your walking there will be limited to the casino parking lots/garages. Since these are monitored by security, they usually are quite safe.

The bowling center is just a couple of blocks from the casinos, so you should be okay.

Just don't go walking around staggering drunk at 3:00 am with $100 bills hanging out of your pockets.

[Sara]

> Reno is a small town. I have never felt the
> least bit unsafe anywhere there, not even in
> the wee hours of the night.

> However, you occasionally see some unsavory
> types around the downtown area late at
> night. I've found them to be generally
> harmless, but some might find them a bit
> intimidating.
Dear Parker,

Thanks for the helpful response.I really appreciate it!

Sara
> None of the casinos in Sparks are within
> walking distance of each other, so your
> walking there will be limited to the casino
> parking lots/garages. Since these are
> monitored by security, they usually are
> quite safe.

> The bowling center is just a couple of
> blocks from the casinos, so you should be
> okay.

> Just don't go walking around staggering
> drunk at 3:00 am with $100 bills hanging out
> of your pockets.

[DD']

> Reno is a small town. I have never felt the
> least bit unsafe anywhere there, not even in
> the wee hours of the night.

> However, you occasionally see some unsavory
> types around the downtown area late at
> night. I've found them to be generally
> harmless, but some might find them a bit
> intimidating.

> None of the casinos in Sparks are within
> walking distance of each other, so your
> walking there will be limited to the casino
> parking lots/garages. Since these are
> monitored by security, they usually are
I, on the other hand, have never felt safe anywhere in Reno. Unlike Vegas, where you see cops on bicycles everywhere, you see very few uniformed police out on the beat in Reno. But you do see bums standing on every corner. It is hard to walk a block or two without getting hustled. Everytime I cash out for a large amount I am very self-conscious in Reno that I'm being watched or followed when I leave.

> quite safe.

> The bowling center is just a couple of
> blocks from the casinos, so you should be
> okay.

> Just don't go walking around staggering
> drunk at 3:00 am with $100 bills hanging out
> of your pockets.

[Parker]

> I, on the other hand, have never felt safe
> anywhere in Reno. Unlike Vegas, where you
> see cops on bicycles everywhere, you see
> very few uniformed police out on the beat in
> Reno. But you do see bums standing on every
> corner. It is hard to walk a block or two
> without getting hustled. Everytime I cash
> out for a large amount I am very
> self-conscious in Reno that I'm being
> watched or followed when I leave.

However, nothing worse than being hit up for spare change has ever actually happened to you there, correct?

Perhaps I should have prefaced my comments with a bit of background: I grew up in Detroit, and my home of the last 30 years (San Diego) is the sixth largest city in the USA, and not exactly a crime-free utopia. My "day job" takes me to every part of town. So, I suppose that the whole concept of a "bad neighborhood" is a relative thing.

Perhaps it is because of that background, but when I cash in a large win (or even a small one, for that matter), I never head straight for the exit. I first wander about the casino, apparently aimlessly, but what I am actually doing is checking my backside. Once I am satisfied that no one is paying attention to me, I quickly dart for the exit.

The various riff-raff hanging around downtown Reno late at night seem fairly harmless to me. Hell, I've even eaten with some of them (at the Nugget diner, home of the $3.50 "awful-awful" burger). They may hit you up for a handout, but they won't try to take it forceably.

Downtown Las Vegas can be a little dicey once you leave the security blanket of the Fremont Street Experience. Still, I have walked from the El Cortez to the Western at night with no problem, although I do not recommend this.

No way in hell would I walk from downtown Las Vegas to the Stratosphere after dark. Besides, it's a long walk. :-)

[Wildcard]

we're talkng about two ladies at night walking in Reno. I haven't been to Reno in a while, but I personally wouldn't feel safe walking anywhere alone at night...maybe with a couple of guys.

If my wife were going to visit Reno with another lady friend, I'd heap on the "be cautious" routine big time! There's a difference I think between hustling a guy for change and hustling women for perhaps other than change. No?

If you can drive, drive...if you can go in larger groups, do it.

[Parker]

> we're talkng about two ladies at night
> walking in Reno. I haven't been to Reno in a
> while, but I personally wouldn't feel safe
> walking anywhere alone at night...maybe with
> a couple of guys.

> If my wife were going to visit Reno with
> another lady friend, I'd heap on the
> "be cautious" routine big time!
> There's a difference I think between
> hustling a guy for change and hustling women
> for perhaps other than change. No?

> If you can drive, drive...if you can go in
> larger groups, do it.

I think two ladies in good health (not frail elderly types in walkers) would be just fine in Reno, assuming that they stayed right in the casino/bowling center area, did not decide to go exploring dark alleys, and had at least minimal street smarts.

When I've been in Reno with my wife, she has never been hesitant to take off on her own while I was glued to a blackjack table, and she never had any problems.

Of course, she grew up in a rough part of New Orleans, and quite frankly, I pity the fool that messes with her. :-)

[Sara]

> I think two ladies in good health (not frail
> elderly types in walkers) would be just fine
> in Reno, assuming that they stayed right in
> the casino/bowling center area, did not
> decide to go exploring dark alleys, and had
> at least minimal street smarts.

> When I've been in Reno with my wife, she has
> never been hesitant to take off on her own
> while I was glued to a blackjack table, and
> she never had any problems.

> Of course, she grew up in a rough part of
> New Orleans, and quite frankly, I pity the
> fool that messes with her. :-

Dear Parker and Others,

Thanks for the comments from all of you! My girlfriend and I will be renting a car so perhaps it is best that we drive to the different casinos as opposed to walking to walking to them. Everyone has been helpful with their suggestions.

Sara

[Parker]

> Dear Parker and Others,

> Thanks for the comments from all of you! My
> girlfriend and I will be renting a car so
> perhaps it is best that we drive to the
> different casinos as opposed to walking to
> walking to them. Everyone has been helpful
> with their suggestions.

> Sara

Circus Circus, Silver Legacy and El Dorado are all connected to each other via enclosed "skyways" built above the cross streets. So, it is possible to wander around between these three casino without ever going outdoors.

[RANMAN]

> Circus Circus, Silver Legacy and El Dorado
> are all connected to each other via enclosed
> "skyways" built above the cross
> streets. So, it is possible to wander around
> between these three casino without ever
> going outdoors.

...From Silver Legacy, CC, or Elderado.

Otherwise you are completely OK between casinos downtown Reno especially if you use the covered walk that Parker speaks of. Otherwise, you need a car anyway because the rest of the casinos are too spread out. Have fun and win big!!!!

[Ima Counter]

Hello,
When I cash out I am always watching to see if others are eyeing me. I will do an obvious spin on exiting a casino to see if anyone is behind me. Pre determine your destination from casino to casino. Use the casinos in downtown and walk through them as much as possible. I would avoid being out after midnight on the street. Since you are two you are probably better off than being alone. If parking in a parking garage, I always will get as close to elevator as possible. I also avoid using a garage if I know I will want my car late at night unless I know it will be busy throughout the night. Just use common sense and be very aware of your surroundings.

Ima Counter

[Ima Counter]

> ...From Silver Legacy, CC, or Elderado.

> Otherwise you are completely OK between
> casinos downtown Reno especially if you use
> the covered walk that Parker speaks of.
> Otherwise, you need a car anyway because the
> rest of the casinos are too spread out. Have
> fun and win big!!!!

Just be very aware of your surroundings. I always am watching for people watching me when cashing out. I will do a spin right before I walk out of a casino to see if anyone is behind me. Plan where you are walking to before getting on street. Use the casinos and walk through them as much as possible. Before I exit a casino I will view exactly my destination. Walk with other tourists. I would be careful after midnight. If in a parking garage try to park as close to elevator as you can. Do not use garage if it is not well lit and busy at the time that you want to get your car. Use common sense, know your destination, don't be drunk and stupid on the street. Walk with determination. Don't wander.

Ima Counter

[Parker]

Nice to see you posting here.