Sep 9, 2026
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department News
Las Vegas, September 09, 2026 – The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department hosted an exclusive, invitation-only presentation for its 100 Club Members on Wednesday evening. The gathering was held in reflection of the twenty-fifth anniversary of 9/11 and addressed how the threat landscape has changed since that fateful day two and a half decades ago. The subject matter of the evening also focused directly on the current threats and emerging challenges facing southern Nevada.
Back in February of this year, LVMPD announced plans to expand its counterterrorism and intelligence capabilities through a new initiative called the “Meridian Project,” designed to strengthen Metro’s operation capabilities and help ensure that the community remains prepared for what comes next. Wednesday's gathering provided a candid look at the current state of affairs and what it will take to keep Las Vegas safe. Sheriff McMahill emphasized that homeland security remains a top priority. “When instability rises overseas, it doesn’t stay there; we continue to be a target,” he said. “There’s no choice anymore,” he said. “We have to do this together.”
The Meridian Project is designed to enhance Metro’s ability to detect, analyze, and respond to threats in real-time. The four major components of the Project are:
24/7 Global Intelligence Desk:
• Metro plans to embed seven analysts to monitor global events in the fusion center around the clock. The goal is to assess threats immediately when they occur anywhere in the world, rather than waiting days or weeks for a report.
Expansion of the Counterterrorism Unit:
• The department will add another squad dedicated to counterterrorism operations to ensure continuous operational coverage. McMahill said current teams face increasing demands and need additional staffing to maintain readiness.
Modernization of the Fusion Center:
• More than $1 million in private donations and grant funding will upgrade the fusion center workspace to enhance information-sharing, real-time monitoring, and coordination among agencies.
Global Intelligence Liaison Partnerships:
• Metro intends to establish relationships in other U.S. cities and internationally by assigning personnel to other cities and traveling to connect with other partner agencies that experience terrorist attacks.