# Something I don't understand about the Vegas shooting
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 3, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894 "2017-10-03T20:07:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Bones\_Daley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bones_Daley)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/1 "2017-10-03T20:07:26Z")
Is it, or is it not the case, that the windows in all Las Vegas hotels are unable to be opened? I believe this is to prevent suicide attempts.
I am further given to understand that all these windows have sensors, and that as soon as one is broken, hotel security are instantly aware of exactly which room the breakage has occurred in.
What the media are reporting is that the “smoke sensors” were the means by which the room was pinpointed, which obviously would delay the detection quite significantly.
No doubt the subsequent inquiry will reveal more details.
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### Author:  [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/2 "2017-10-03T20:24:35Z")
> [@Bones\_Daley](#):
>
> I am further given to understand that all these windows have sensors, and that as soon as one is broken, hotel security are instantly aware of exactly which room the breakage has occurred in.
I have never heard of there being sensors on every window in hotels. Where did you hear this?
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### Author:  [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/3 "2017-10-03T20:38:08Z")
> [@Bones\_Daley](#):
>
> Is it, or is it not the case, that the windows in all Las Vegas hotels are unable to be opened? I believe this is to prevent suicide attempts.
Not just suicide, but horrible accidents like [the one that killed Eric Clapton’s son.](http://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/21/nyregion/eric-clapton-s-son-killed-in-a-49-story-fall.html) There’s also the whole climate control thing.
> [@Bones\_Daley](#):
>
> I am further given to understand that all these windows have sensors, and that as soon as one is broken, hotel security are instantly aware of exactly which room the breakage has occurred in.
ISTM that it’s pretty rare for those windows to break/be broken, and such a detection system would represent an unwise cost, especially given that the risk is confined to the occupants of the room with the broken window (as opposed to a fire in a room, which puts the entire hotel at risk). Can you point to a cite anywhere on the internet that asserts this to be a widespread practice, or even that such a system existed specifically at the Mandalay Bay hotel?
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/4 "2017-10-03T20:41:44Z")
I have never seen or heard of a break detection system other then looking up and seeing a cracked window.
ETA: There are any number of hotels in Vegas with opening windows. Indeed, with terraces and balconies. Those rooms are in high demand at places like Cosmopolitan.
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### Author:  [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/5 "2017-10-03T20:50:11Z")
Last time I stayed in a hotel in Vegas it had a balcony.
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### Author:  [@Bones\_Daley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bones_Daley)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/6 "2017-10-03T20:50:54Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> ETA: There are any number of hotels in Vegas with opening windows. Indeed, with terraces and balconies. Those rooms are in high demand at places like Cosmopolitan.
Not the case at the Mandalay …[http://www.thewrap.com/mandalay-bay-hotel-room-windows-stephen-paddock-las-vegas/](http://www.thewrap.com/mandalay-bay-hotel-room-windows-stephen-paddock-las-vegas/)
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### Author:  [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/7 "2017-10-03T20:50:58Z")
The windows don’t open mainly because it is cheaper to build and cheaper to run the climate control if people cannot open windows. I have been in hotels that turn off the AC if the sliding glass doors to the patio or balcony are opened.
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/8 "2017-10-03T21:01:42Z")
A reporter on one of the networks said last night that Paddock broke the window open with a hammer-like device.
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### Author:  [@Bones\_Daley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bones_Daley)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/9 "2017-10-03T21:16:57Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> I have never seen or heard of a break detection system other then looking up and seeing a cracked window.
Google " Dual Technology Glass Break Sensors".
Whether the Mandalay Bay had the sensors fitted, i confess I do not know … somebody who _ **should** _ know told me that they had, but that is anecdotal.
Contrary to some opinions expressed above, it is by no means exorbitantly expensive to fit these detectors …one per room (not per window) is all that is required … in the overall scheme of things the cost is peanuts.
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### Author:  [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/10 "2017-10-03T21:43:27Z")
Oh, someone who “should” know, told you something. So, of course, it’s true. :rolleyes:
What would be the point to having such sensors? Why would a casino hotel invest the significant cost in them?
Why not come back with this question if/when you can actually establish such sensors existed at the Mandalay Bay? 😉
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### Author:  [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/11 "2017-10-03T22:04:11Z")
Btw…What is a hammer- like device anyway? Oh, oh, I know a HAMMER!!!
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### Author:  [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/12 "2017-10-03T22:26:32Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#):
>
> Btw…What is a hammer- like device anyway? Oh, oh, I know a HAMMER!!!
When all of your problems are windows, all tools look like hammer-like devices.
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### Author:  [@Rosvirein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rosvirein)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/13 "2017-10-03T22:40:10Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#):
>
> Btw…What is a hammer- like device anyway? Oh, oh, I know a HAMMER!!!
I’ve got one of [these](https://www.gemplers.com/product/224955/Channellock-Fencing-Pliers). I can see someone who doesn’t know what it’s called calling it a ‘hammer-like device’.
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### Author:  [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/14 "2017-10-03T22:42:34Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#):
>
> Oh, someone who “should” know, told you something. So, of course, it’s true. :rolleyes:
>
> What would be the point to having such sensors? Why would a casino hotel invest the significant cost in them?
I’ve been in a few Vegas hotels that had ground level rooms with windows facing public streets/sidewalks. I can see them putting them in on those first story rooms just to prevent break-ins.
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### Author:  [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/15 "2017-10-03T23:01:26Z")
I stayed at the MGM signature towers and it had a very wide open balcony, with a couple thick metal railings, thats about it. Completely open air. Fun to have sex out there. =)
Other hotels, I imagine have similar setups, Not sure if the Luxor has anything like that, but a few have balconies from what i’ve seen.
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### Author:  [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2017, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/16 "2017-10-03T23:12:15Z")
> [@Rosvirein](#):
>
> I’ve got one of [these](https://www.gemplers.com/product/224955/Channellock-Fencing-Pliers). I can see someone who doesn’t know what it’s called calling it a ‘hammer-like device’.
They are hypothesizing he used something like [this](https://www.amazon.com/Lifehammer-LH-RET-O1-Emergency-Tool-Orange/dp/B000BN3A4Y), and hammer-like device sounds like a fair description to me. The pointed tip is better for breaking through tempered safety glass in cars, or possibly hotel windows.
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### Author:  [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)
#### Post date: [October 4, 2017, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/17 "2017-10-04T00:09:39Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#):
>
> Btw…What is a hammer- like device anyway? Oh, oh, I know a HAMMER!!!
It’s a class of objects that also includes: axes, splitting mauls, large crowbars, some medieval weaponry, mallets, etc… It is rather common here for pedants to derail a thread arguing over minutiae like that.
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### Author:  [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)
#### Post date: [October 4, 2017, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/18 "2017-10-04T00:19:25Z")
> [@Asuka](#):
>
> I’ve been in a few Vegas hotels that had ground level rooms with windows facing public streets/sidewalks. I can see them putting them in on those first story rooms just to prevent break-ins.
I think this is right, these glass breakage sensors are for detecting break-ins. There is no reason to install such sensors on the 32nd floor.
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### Author:  [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)
#### Post date: [October 4, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/19 "2017-10-04T00:22:24Z")
Hotel staff were alerted to the sounds of breaking glass, giving them a general idea of the floor and wing) . They got the call pretty much as soon as that happenned. Someone was straight onto it… "hey theres glass raining down here. madman breaking window up above ? ". However, they were also alerted to the sounds of automatic gun fire soon after, and that was echoing around the streets, and they couldn’t know if the glass was broken from the inside, or by gunfire, for example. Hotel staff may have been watching all the video cameras in the corridoors and lifts, and stair ways . eg to disable lift , to block stair way, to tell guests to go back to their room and lock themselves in etc,
But shooter never left the room so hotel staff didnt locate him.
Plenty of alarms would have gone off. eg guests would be smoking inside…
So smoke alarms aren’t going to be totally sure to pinpoint the gunman.
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### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [October 4, 2017, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-i-dont-understand-about-the-vegas-shooting/797894/20 "2017-10-04T00:41:31Z")
> [@dstarfire](#):
>
> It’s a class of objects that also includes: axes, splitting mauls, large crowbars, some medieval weaponry, mallets, etc… It is rather common here for pedants to derail a thread arguing over minutiae like that.
It would seem logical that he’d use an [escape hammer](https://www.amazon.com/Safety-Hammer-Emergency-Escape-Breaker/dp/B072B6LGZG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1507077604&sr=8-6&keywords=escape+hammer+for+car) for cars. They’re designed to break glass and calling them a hammer is not accurate.
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