Las Vegas is adding infrared sensors that can detect litter and graffiti in some of its parks as part of its smart city initiative

• Las Vegas is adding infrared sensors to monitor activity in some of its parks, Michael Sherwood, the director of IT and technology for Las Vegas, said on Tuesday at Business Insider's IGNITION: Smart Cities event in Washington, DC.
• The sensors will be able to detect litter, graffiti, and people, though it won't be able to recognize facial features, Sherwood said.
• The initiative is designed to make Las Vegas a more desirable place to live.
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Las Vegas plans to add infrared sensors to monitor activity in some of its parks Michael Sherwood, the director of IT and technology for Las Vegas, said on Tuesday at Business Insider's IGNITION: Smart Cities event in Washington, DC.

The sensors will be able to detect litter, graffiti, and people, alerting authorities if there is an issue that requires their attention. But the sensors won't be able to recognize facial features, Sherwood said. For example, the sensors will know if someone remains in a park after it closes, but won't be able to determine that person's identity.

The initiative is designed to make Las Vegas a more desirable place to live.

"Do you want your government investing a lot of money in a park that no one uses?" Sherwood said.

Creating the conditions to encourage a growing population will also have financial benefits for the city, Sherwood said, as new residents attract businesses and jobs, which increases the city's financial resources by raising tax revenue.

"It's simple business economics," he said.

Watch Sherwood's full interview from Business Insider's IGNITION: Smart Cities event below:

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