Local gaming tribes say ensuring the safety of casino employees and patrons is their top priority.
Reacting to Sunday’s shooting in Las Vegas, leaders of the local gaming tribes and a casino official said Tuesday that ensuring the safety of casino employees and patrons is their top priority.
“We have put in place highly trained police and surveillance teams, including former members of the Connecticut SWAT unit,” Kevin Brown, who chairs the Mohegan Tribe and its gaming enterprise, which includes Mohegan Sun, said in a statement. “Our public safety team has for years had proactive measures in place including 24/7 indoor and outdoor police patrols, as well as a growing K-9 unit who specialize in multiple forms of screenings and detection.”
“While we do not post all the measures in place, please know that our team continuously reviews and re-evaluates security protocol to ensure those who visit us are always in a safe environment,” Brown said.
No metal detectors are in place at Mohegan Sun, a Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment spokeswoman confirmed.
In the Las Vegas shooting, a gunman fired on a crowd from a hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Authorities said the shooter had 23 guns in the room.
“This shocking tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of why we continue our due diligence to ensure that safety and security is the highest priority at all of our public properties, including but not limited to Foxwoods Resort Casino,” said Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. “Our public safety law enforcement personnel, security officers and emergency responders are among the most experienced, highly trained and thoroughly equipped in New England. We utilize the most state-of-theart technology and equipment to oversee patrolling, security and surveillance activity inside and outside of Foxwoods, and while we cannot reveal details, our practices include but are not limited to random vehicle searches as well as requiring concert patrons to pass through metal detectors upon entry.”
“Likewise, we continually update our policies and procedures to ensure best practices in mobilizing public safety responders as efficiently and effectively as possible, and under any possible circumstance,” Butler said.
Foxwoods’ chief executive officer, Felix Rappaport, was attending the G2E gaming conference in Las Vegas, an event that began Monday and ends Thursday.
“Foxwoods has deep ties to the Las Vegas community and our prayers go out to the families and friends of those affected by this senseless and horrific tragedy,” he said. “Guest and team member safety has always been a top priority, and we constantly evaluate and re-evaluate all security measures to continue to put safety first. Foxwoods has built a robust security infrastructure, and our team works closely with tribal police, as well as local and state police, to provide the safest environment possible.”