Rev. Keith Michaels

The Rev. Nelly Wright, superintendent of the St. John River District of the Liberia Conference gives Rev. Keith Michaels, director of Catch the Spirit Camp, a hug while campers look on from the camp's swimming pool.
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The Rev. Nelly Wright, superintendent of the St. John River District of the Liberia Conference gives Rev. Keith Michaels, director of Catch the Spirit Camp, a hug while campers look on from the camp's swimming pool.

Keith Michaels, surveillance director for the Tropicana, noted another distinct feature of Las Vegas' security picture-which, at the end of the day, might be the ultimate disadvantage for craven would-be terrorists.

"People come to casinos to gamble, to dine, to see a show," said Michaels."People who don't come for those reasons stand out like a sore thumb."

So whether you're a high roller, a fan of the nickel slots and free drinks, or a first timer looking to enjoy a world-class vacation at a budget-friendly price, now is a great time to visit the Strip and check your worries at the door.Don't worry: Vegas is watching your back.

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Keith Michaels, surveillance director for the Tropicana, noted another distinct feature of Las Vegas' security picture,which, at the end of the day, might be the ultimate disadvantage for craven would-be terrorists.

"People come to casinos to gamble, to dine, to see a show," said Michaels.

Keith Michaels , surveillance director for the Tropicana , said the terrorist threat is minimal for those staying in Strip casinos , and Holder concurred.
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Michaels agreed that there is a fine line between increased alertness and a climate of fear.

We don't want to create an aura of panic , Michaels said.People come to casinos to gamble , to dine , to see a show.People who don't come for those reasons stand out like a sore thumb..

Tim Shaloob of the Tourist Safety Unit of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Property Crimes Section; Keith Michaels, director of surveillance at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas; Clifford W. Holder, CPP, CEO of the Q I Institute and former V.P. of security and surveillance for the Santa Fe Casino Corporation in Las Vegas.

Half the time , it just comes out a black square , said Keith Michaels , the Tropicana's director of surveillance.

Cheaters' scanned images sent around the country.

That network is exactly what Andersen's company , CVI , is out to replace.Starting sometime in mid-May , CVI's network will connect at least 15 casinos around the country , enabling them to digitally transmit scanned images of cheaters to each other.

Security cameras still remain far more important, said Tropicana surveillance director Keith Michaels -- when the valet parking area becomes crowded, cameras can see where security guards can't.

"The additional security is just there to give the public the impression that it's still safe to come here," Michaels said."It's still the same, safe place it was for years."

But the additional security guards can come in handy.Several weeks ago, a man came to the front desk of the Tropicana and asked if he could check his bag there.When the front desk clerks refused, the man dumped the bag there and ran toward the front entrance.Attached to the bag was a note claiming it contained a bomb, and the incident led to the casino's evacuation.
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The quick arrest of the man shows that increased awareness by all casino employees is paying off, Michaels said.

"In the past, I can guarantee you the call that someone had left a bag at the front desk (unattended) would not have been made for about five minutes," Michaels said."An elevated awareness of what was going on led to the capture of this individual."

Baggage represents a threat to casinos.

Tim Shaloob of the Tourist Safety Unit of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Property Crimes Section; Keith Michaels, director of surveillance at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas; Clifford W. Holder, CPP, CEO of the Q I Institute and former V.P. of security and surveillance for the Santa Fe Casino Corporation in Las Vegas.

Keith Michaels , director of surveillance for the Tropicana Resort and Casino here , said it's easy these days to read too much into a certain situation , and cautioned against going overboard.

We don't want to create an aura of paranoia that every Arabic male who sits down on the casino floor is a terrorist , he said.

Casinos are considered among the most secure private businesses anywhere.Still , they've had to go on a heightened state of awareness since Sept. 11.They've increased bicycle patrols , scrutinized deliveries and delivery personnel , centralized all mail and package deliveries , and increased the number of towed cars , panelists said.

Tim Shaloob of the Tourist Safety Unit of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Property Crimes Section ; Keith Michaels , director of surveillance at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas ; Clifford W. Holder , CPP , CEO of the Q I Institute and former V.P. of security and surveillance for the Santa Fe Casino Corporation in Las Vegas.