Brenda Palma / Las Vegas Review-Journal

MARK RALSTON is seen walking past a pool table at the Paradise Resort Casino. The facility was evacuated Thursday, Oct. 23, 2017, in response to a massive sinkhole in the middle of the floor of the casino. The hotel is located in a residential area in northwest Las Vegas. (Photo: Brandon Wade / Las Vegas Review-Journal)

MARK RALSTON, Las Vegas County auditor: Is this a risk for our county?

JANET O’MALLEY: It’s for everyone. The only thing I can say is that the County is going to make sure there are no future holes in the ground. You know, we are definitely not OK with it. That doesn’t mean that we don’t look at those problems.

O’MALLEY SAYS there are not enough emergency drills and protocols in place.

We’ve had problems with the City of Las Vegas, with our employees, and also with our casino employees. So there’s been, I think, a little bit more of an emphasis on what needs to be done. And as far as how much time we should work with our casinos to be able to have these drills and exercises…

RALSTON: You mentioned getting more drill and exercise protocols in place.

RALSTON: Yeah, yeah, that is definitely something that the officials here in Las Vegas are going to spend a lot of time on. We have the right to do that. We are going to protect the integrity of our buildings.

Ralston says there can be an added expense if a sinkhole is discovered.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department issued a press release with its findings on Thursday morning.

It cites a sinkhole at the Paradise Hotel and Casino as one of several “troubling” holes found in the downtown area. A sinkhole was discovered at the Sky View Apartments in the same area.

The cause of the sinkhole is still under investigation.

To read the full press release, click here.

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