By Police1 Staff
LAS VEGAS — On a recent episode of The Mark and Ben Show podcast, hosted by tech entrepreneurs Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Sheriff Kevin McMahill and Chief Mike Gennaro shared insights into their department’s forward-thinking strategies for reducing crime and enhancing community engagement.
Sheriff McMahill and Chief Gennaro emphasized the critical role of fostering community trust, alongside the use of advanced technology to address crime effectively. They also underscored the value of partnerships and accountability, with Horowitz’s well-documented contributions to the department serving as a notable example.
Las Vegas, a city renowned for its bustling tourism industry and complex public safety demands, has embraced innovative strategies to enhance law enforcement efforts, including:
- Drones for public safety: Drones are being deployed to help de-escalate dangerous situations, provide real-time intelligence, and reduce the risks to officers and civilians. These tools have proven instrumental in avoiding unnecessary confrontations and ensuring accurate assessments during emergencies. “Drones allow us to get real-time, accurate intelligence in under 30 seconds, saving lives and de-escalating situations,” said Chief Mike Gennaro.
- License Plate Readers (LPR): Advanced LPR systems from companies like Flock Safety enable LVMPD to track suspect vehicles involved in violent crimes. This reduces the need for random vehicle stops, minimizing the potential for unnecessary or escalated encounters with the public.
- Prepared 911 technology: New systems allow officers to hear 911 calls in real-time as they are dispatched, enabling faster response times and improved situational awareness for critical incidents such as robberies and active shooter situations.
LVMPD boasts a 94% homicide solve rate, the highest in the nation, attributed to its whole-agency approach to investigations and decades-long efforts to build trust in historically underserved communities. Sheriff McMahill explained, “When a crime happens, someone in the community knows who did it. That trust between officers and residents is key to solving crimes and preventing further victimization.”
Chief Gennaro elaborated on the department’s proactive stance, drawing on his experience with the NYPD during the transformative leadership of Commissioner Bill Bratton. “Holding area captains accountable for crime and addressing quality-of-life issues, like vandalism and drug activity, creates an environment where the community can thrive,” he said.
The discussion also touched on recent discussions surrounding private donations to public safety initiatives.
In October 2024, Horowitz detailed his and his wife Felicia’s contributions to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) to enhance public safety. Their donations included $800,000 for computer terminals, $120,000 for 911 operator amenities and $400,000 for Prepared 911 technology, improving emergency response times. Additionally, they provided approximately $6.3 million for advanced public safety technologies from Skydio and Flock Safety, aiming to bolster LVMPD’s intelligence and situational awareness.
With many of these technologies developed by companies within the Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) investment portfolio, critics have questioned the involvement of private citizens in funding public institutions. Horowitz noted in the podcast, “If we can’t contain crime, we can’t address deeper issues like addiction and mental health. These investments save lives and build safer communities.”
The LVMPD’s ambitious goal is to make Las Vegas the safest city in America. With its blend of community-focused policing and cutting-edge technology, the department is setting a benchmark for other cities. Sheriff McMahill expressed optimism, saying, “We’re proving that better intelligence leads to better policing.”
