City of Las Vegas staff identify problems at parks
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The city of Las Vegas Parks and Recreation identified which locations have problems and what they are.
In a parks and recreation meeting on May 7, staff went over a recent monthly report on public safety at parks. The statistics showed Justice Leavitt park has the most arrests and citations in April: thirty-five for park violations tied to the unhoused community.
Those park violations included camping in the park, and bathing or washing clothes in fountains.
Nearby residents agree, pointing to those camped near the playground in broad daylight. It is a concern for Demetrius Smith, who takes his kids to the park.
“I see a lot of homeless people,” Smith explained. “They’ll be washing up in the play area, leaving their clothes, all their junk, and it’s not a good look for the kids to see.”
Smith said he wants more clean up and patrols, and his friend, Jesus Saenz agreed.
“They should have cameras on the soccer field, especially in the middle. I think there should be a cop spying on everyone 24/7.”
Christopher Gomez and his dog, Lils, have run-ins in the dog park.
“Homeless around setting up here and there,” Gomez said. “I have seen patrolling, but every time I do see something, like homeless sleeping in the dog tunnels.”
Rafael shared he has slept at Leavitt more than 10 times. He said officers have told him to stop camping, but it has been in a nice manner and one cop gave him $5.
According to the Las Vegas Department of Public Safety Lieutenant Tony Kumamaru, there are cameras at parks, however they struggle with the staff to monitor.
“We don’t have the capability for someone to be looking at them every second of every day,” Kumamaru said at the May 7 meeting.
The city of Las Vegas helps those experiencing homelessness through their Multi-agency Outreach Resource Engagement (MORE) team. In a statement, city staff said their goal is to get unhoused persons “healthy, housed and hired.”
The statement continued, “this team is out in the community seven days a week providing assistance and connecting those in need to the Courtyard Homeless Resource Center. In addition, the Deputy City Marshal-led Conditions Team builds strong relationships with residential, nonprofit and business community members. The team focuses on the at-risk population, addressing health, safety and hygiene issues.”
The city doesn’t disclose security camera locations. They also have community policing agencies.
As part of the solution, the city approved a new budget April 3 that includes public safety expansions. The budget focuses on three priority areas: Public Safety, Healthcare and Diversifying the Economy.
City staff shared the budget included the expansion of Department of Public Safety Conditions team, the Problem Oriented Policing team. As well as an 8.7% increase from the city to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department budget to help pay for 22 additional officers and the addition of five Deputy City Marshal positions
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