LAS VEGAS: Last Thursday morning the Rio Hotel Casino was robbed of $33,000 in gaming chips by a wig and fake moustache wearing gunman. According to newspaper and TV accounts, thanks to a comedy of errors beginning with the gunman arriving at, and escaping from, the Rio in a taxi owned and driven by a not too bright partner in crime, he and his accomplices were quickly identified. The accomplices were arrested. The gunman is still outstanding – for now.
The story of how badly the gunman and his friends seem to have mismanaged their crime is interesting. But even more interesting – and puzzling - to me was the scorn and insults directed at Rio security personnel for letting the gunman walk out of the casino unchallenged.
I don’t know how many – if any – armed security officers the Rio has. I do know most of their uniformed personnel are not armed. Unless they are as dumb as the gunman and his friends, I’m pretty sure none of the Rio detractors would expect unarmed security officers to confront an armed robber. Maybe the critics think that security personnel should all be armed. That is an ongoing debate with good arguments on all sides. Perhaps we can explore the issue here sometime; but not today.
Today, just for the sake of argument, let’s assume that there were armed security personnel on duty at the Rio during the robbery. Should they have confronted the gunman?
What would be gained from a confrontation? The gunman stole $33,000 in chips. That represents a lot of money to most people. I say “represents” because chips aren’t money. They are just colorful plastic discs. Even if actual cash was stolen, $33,000 is chump change to a casino that can see even greater sums change hands with a single roll of the dice. If there were no risk involved, the best case outcome from a confrontation would have the chips recovered and the bad guy in handcuffs. But there is always risk.
Now consider the worst case outcome; a shootout on the casino floor. Even if security ultimately prevailed and the gunman was killed or captured, the potential for disaster is immense. With bullets flying, guests and staff alike are in mortal danger. Beyond the devastating tragedy of someone being shot, there would be serious consequences for the casino. Corporate liability exposure for an avoidable shooting is monumental and damage to the casino’s image could be irreparable.
The choice isn’t difficult. Unless a gunman is actively shooting people, let him walk. Odds are he’ll eventually be caught anyway. The safety of guests and staff is paramount. Based on the information available, it appears to me that Rio security personnel acted professionally and responsibly. They made the correct choice.
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