content: In the past I would have advised hardcore gamblers to stay and play\ndowntown. I believe those days are long gone. Now I wouldn't advise\nmy worst enemy to venture down here unless he had a sudden urge \nto get mugged or murdered. The city made an effort to elevate this\narea by installing the roof and the light show,and having a constant\npolice presence during business hours. For a while it worked. On my\nlast two visits it appeared that this area has gone back to its roots.\nStreet people of every persuasion have reclaimed Fremont Street,\nand are forcing the tourists back to the Strip. I think the city has \nthrown up its hands and decided that the extra patrols are not cost\neffective,that the bums and prostitutes are too numerous to deal with.\nTo make a short story even shorter: I'll never stay in,gamble in or\nvisit this area again.