Safety advocates are coming at full speed, pushing transportation officials to do something about the county's bus stops. In six years, 11 people have been hit and killed while waiting at bus stops.

Just last month, Robin Wynkoop's mother was hit and killed and another woman lost both legs when a truck slammed into the bus stop at Boulder Highway and Flamingo.

The driver's been charged with DUI, but the victims' families are still demanding transportation officials move bus stops back and put up protective barriers. Now disabled riders are joining the fight, pushing transportation officials to do something to make bus shelters safer for people in wheelchairs.

Disabled passengers say there is no room. It's a problem at many bus stops. The space is tight for people – what about people in wheelchairs? Could they roll through without rolling in the street?

“I am 87-years-old; the only way I can get around is on this,” said William Roger. When he hits the road in his motor chair, it's smooth sailing until he gets to a bus stop.

“They don't allow you enough space to travel in front of them,” said Roger. “When you get old, there is no space for you.”

He and other wheelchair-bound riders have to squeeze their way through. “You're in danger if you're not careful,” said Roger.

“Nineteen inches to get through — “39 they are illegal a risk,” said Chris Christoff. He and Citizens For Better Transportation have been fighting to improve safety. He says thousands of Clark County bus stops violate the ADA rules.

“They are depriving people of having a safe bus stop,” said Christoff. Space is the problem.

According to the Americans With Disabilities Act, public bus stops are supposed to have at least five feet for wheelchairs to move around. A local bus stop at Sahara and 6th St. only has a little more than two. They are also supposed be 12 feet away from the curb. At this bus stop, the measurements are all wrong.

At this bus stop they have all the space they need to make this compliance. So why don't they?

“Because they don't want to spend the money,” said Christoff.

“Safety of the public is paramount,” said RTC General Manger Jacob Snow. He says they've already replaced 70 bus shelters and are working to fix 900 more by next year. But many of the bus shelters have no space to move.

“In situations where we can't move them, we are going to have to do it on a case by case issue,” said Snow. 

Answers — not good enough for Christoff. He questions why bus shelters like that one haven't been moved. “All of this should be pulled back to here,” he said.

RTC officials say it's going to take time. William Rogers hopes time is on his side. “When you get up to the bus stop, you have to be very careful,” he said. 

Right now, RTC officials are meeting to try and come up with a solution to fix the problems at valley bus shelters. The bottom line is money — and time to fix it all. But safety advocates are threatening to call in the government to shut bus stops down if action isn't taken soon.

Email your comments to Reporter Travell Eiland.

The latest Las Vegas tourist numbers have been released and they are down again. Three-percent fewer people visited Las Vegas in June compared with a year ago.

But gaming revenue during June was way up downtown, on the Boulder Strip and in North Las Vegas.

Gaming revenue has declined in four of the five months recorded this year. June showed more gaming revenue for some casinos and more tax money collected by the state for the first time since April.

That could trickle down to fewer state budget cuts. For months the economic news has been grim for southern Nevada casinos. Visitors still make Las Vegas a top destination, but executives for the mega casinos on the Las Vegas Strip say those folks are spending less.

Now executives in other Clark County casinos are starting to sing another tune. New Nevada Gaming Control numbers show gaming revenues up everywhere, except the Strip and Laughlin.

Downtown gaming revenues increased more than 10-percent.

The last time Vinitia McDowall visited Las Vegas, she saw the last car drive down Fremont Street before the city closed it to traffic. Now she's back to see the changes and try her luck.

“If you don't have the money to come and lose, don't come because you are going to lose part of it,” she said.

And the June numbers reflect that, just not on the Strip.

So why are they seeing more people off the Strip? According to Mike Darley, GM at Fitzgeralds, it's a combination of things, “I am hoping that all the ingredients that we have Downtown are really coming together and people see the true value down here.”

First renovations are sprucing things up. He says the hotels are more Walkable and the casinos are more affordable.

His casino just started $3 blackjack on Saturdays. Room rates are about half of what is offered at most of the mega-casinos.

“We have been fine — enjoyed our two or three days here. We probably will come back,” said McDowall.

The casinos downtown are willing to cut their room rates to get heads in beds. They hope that those people also stay to gamble here. We'll see of the increases hold.

Email your comments to Reporter Edward Lawrence

More than 400 men and women turned out to test to become Metro police officers Tuesday. That's nearly twice the normal turnout.

“Do I think economic times has something to do with it? Sure, we are hiring when a lot of people are not hiring,” said Sheriff Douglas Gillespie. He says the starting salary and benefits are a good enticement during hard economic times.

New officers start at $54,000 a year. But Metro recruiters say only one out of every 10 candidates who showed up to test Tuesday will actually make it to the police academy six months from now. That's only 41 out of 411.

Sheriff Gillespie says crime across the valley is finally trending down again — and fewer people are dying on our roadways. So why do we need more money for more cops now?

Because Gillespie says to combat crime in a growing community — you have to prevent it — not just respond to it — and that requires a proactive approach to policing.

More than 400 job seekers packed Cashman Center — to find out if they have what it takes to become a Metro police officer. For UNLV graduate Matt Seccombe, a career in law enforcement isn't just a steady paycheck in an uncertain economy — it's a way of life in his family.

“My dad's been with LAPD for 23 years, my uncle for 35 years. It's something I grew up with and I have a lot of friends at Metro now, and they say nothing but positive things about it,” he said.

Seccombe is already among the 200 people expected to pass Tuesday's personal history questionnaire and two-hour civil service written exam. But recruiters say about 75-percent of these candidates will fail the physical fitness test, oral boards, psychiatric evaluations or background investigation that follow.

That leaves only about 45 recruits who'll actually make it to the 25-week long police academy. And that's why Metro is having to recruit all the time now.

“We're testing 10 times a year,” said Sgt. David Orr of Metro Recruiting.

Sheriff Gillespie says by July of next year — 2009 — Metro will have hired 600 new police officers using half of the funds provided in the sales tax increase approved by voters back in 2004.

“We're seeing crime down in our valley right now compared to this time last year,” he said.

But Gillespie says Metro's current ratio of 1.8 officers to every 1,000 permanent citizens still isn't enough to combat crime in our growing community.

“To be proactive — to stop cars, stop people, go into businesses, talk to citizens and drive through neighborhoods. I believe if we get up to two officers per 1000 citizens, then we'll be able to do that,” he said.

Metro says it will be putting the pedal to the medal on its recruiting efforts for the next few years at least.

For more information about the salary, benefits and qualifications needed to become a Metro officer, click here.

The 2008 Star Trek Convention at the Las Vegas Hilton has brought costumed fans to the strip from all over the world. 

SLIDESHOW: Trekkies United!

This year’s convention is open through Sunday August 10th and is the last convention to be held at The Hilton while the Star Trek Experience ride is still operating.

The Department of Homeland Security wants your help to prevent a terror attack in Las Vegas. But would you know what tell- tell signs to look for?

What would you think if you saw someone with a map and binoculars? Or if you saw that same person walking up and down the Strip? In a tourist environment, it all may seem normal. But these are just two of seven signs of possible terrorist activities.

These are things everyday people may spot and think — it just doesn't seem right. That's why officials say your eyes can help derail a terrorists plan of attack.

The RJC is where you'll find Larry Threadgill — pounding the pavement, passing out fliers. On these side walks of justice, you wouldn't believe the things he's seen. “From naked women, to guys trying to kill themselves.”

From the street corner Threadgill has an up close view. “Being the observant person that I am, I watch them anyway.”

Nevada's Department of Homeland Security says Threadgill's watchful eye makes him key to preventing terrorists attack in the valley. “The government thinks I could be apart of the first line of defense,” said Threadgill. Shocking news to him – because he wouldn't know what to look for.

UNLV'S Institute for Securities Study put together a DVD, “The Seven Signs of Terror” — made for people who could help spot terrorist activity such as school police. The DVD lists what to look out for and gives a resource to call for help.

Ross Bryant works at the institute and says if this program would have been in place before 9/11, hospitality workers may have been able to spot the 9/11 hijackers. They came to town leading up to the attacks and stayed in a motel on the Strip.

“It is important that people who work in the industry, when they see something suspicious, they feel comfortable calling,” he said. “Maybe that one incident doesn't bring actionable intelligence but that combined with other Intel can piece together the puzzle.”

Although terror attacks aren't top of mind for most people, knowing what to look for is a wake up call for everyone.

The seven signs of terror are:

1. Surveillance — watch out for people standing around surveying or taking video or pictures.

2. Information gathering – be on the lookout for people requesting maps of blue prints of buildings.

3. Testing security — terrorists may watch to see how long it takes emergency responders to get to a scene.

4. Planning

5. Suspicious behavior

6. Rehearsal — terrorists may rehearse for the attack over and over so look out for that and

7. watch for people getting into positions that may not seem normal.

The DVD, “The Seven Signs of Terrorism” will be used throughout the state. Officials are making 20,000 copies in English and Spanish.

If you see or witness something suspicious, you can call 1-877-828-8386.