Shooting at Grand Sierra Resort in Reno Leads to Reminder of Casino Responsibilities

The Monday shooting that took place at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno stirred a debate over culpability and responsibility. One security chief has weighed in on what casinos could do to prepare themselves in such situations and respond to the threat of gun violence.

Security Boss Calls for Vigilance When Enforcing Casino Security Measures

In the case of the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, three people were shot dead, and three others were injured. Whilst this is horrendous, the number might have been much higher had the perpetrator been able to open fire immediately after he produced his firearm.

The weapon misfired when he tried to fire at first, leading to a delay and more time for security and local police authorities to respond. Protective Force International CEO Jonathan Alvarez has spoken about how proactive security measures could help reduce such incidents, including preventing them entirely.

Alvarez said that hiring an external security company, such as his, could help provide the necessary body count to monitor individuals who may pose a threat, and his company already patrols 16 casinos in Southern Nevada.

Commenting on the latest shooting, he said, “So typically we challenge those individuals. And challenge, not necessarily in a negative term, but we have to address that. I would say stopping that individual at the source of finding them.”

The Private Sector Has a Lot to Offer

But apart from bringing in more bodies, the recent shooting has also put into question whether patrons should have the right to enter with concealed weaponry about their person. This has been an extremely sensitive issue, that has divided people over politics.

Alvarez has acknowledged that the difficulty stemmed not only from the law itself, but also because casinos are allowed to enforce different policies. Alvarez believes that the threat posed to patrons could be addressed by the private sector, but he has been careful not to single out only one potential source of danger, arguing that other weaponry, such as knives, could be as deadly.