LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Chinatown merchants’ car smash-and-grabs remain a problem, particularly during peak hours and holidays when tourists are out.
New data from Clark County shows Chinatown brings in more than double the visitors of the Arts District and Fremont East combined.
Tourists targeted after arriving in town
For years, merchants have said break-ins became common, particularly post-pandemic. They say tourists who are just arriving in town are targets for thieves.
“When they come here, they’re so happy, they rent a car, they come from the airport, and then they come have lunch, they go out,” said Borman Yang, owner of Taiwan Deli. “Everything’s gone, you know? What kind of feeling?”
The owner of Taiwan Deli said her staff warns customers as soon as they sit down.
“And now I tell all my waitresses, every single table, when they come in, you ask them, hey, do you have a suitcase? Do you have important stuff in your car? Please, bring it in,” Yang said.
MORE ON FOX5: Popular Chinatown centers get help with repairs, upgrades, safety
Restaurant seeks funding for aging infrastructure
Nearby restaurant Ichiza asked its property owner to apply for government funds through the Corridor Improvement Project, not just for crime prevention, but for aging infrastructure.
“This building, especially, is getting old,” said Maho Sugai, general manager at Ichiza. The restaurant is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Sugai said when old utilities fail, so does the restaurant’s security.
“And just last week, too, we had a power outage happening,” Sugai said. “And in those cases, like, a security camera doesn’t work either, because all power is out. So, it’s better to have those security systems.”
Sugai said the restaurant is grateful for the Las Vegas police’s presence in the area.
Grant program aims to fund security upgrades
The Spring Mountain Corridor grant program offered businesses money for general and security upgrades following a wave of crime, particularly smash-and-grabs and thefts. Ichiza said it is still waiting to hear if its building will receive grant money from the Spring Mountain Corridor Project.
Other businesses said they didn’t know the program existed but said they want higher-quality, professional security camera systems.
Clark County leaders say award winners will receive the green light to start their projects soon.
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
