City of Las Vegas to implement plans to help keep park areas safe

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The City of Las Vegas is sharing details about what they plan to do after a rise in crime was spotted at parks across the area.

Both Justice Myron E. Leavitt Park near Sahara and Eastern avenues and Lorenzi Park on the Historic Westside are the most crime-infested parks in the valley, according to a recent report from Las Vegas Parks and Recreation. 8 News Now reported on the rise in crime after officers issued a high number of arrests and citations at three parks.

Valerie Lopez visits Lorenzi Park weekly but told 8 News Now she has had to cut her trips short because she doesn’t feel completely safe.

“I did have an incident with a homeless person who harassed me,” she added.

City officials said they are doing what they can to ease those safety concerns as a new budget was passed this April to include 22 additional police officers and five new deputy city marshals who will oversee area parks. Plus, new security camera installations are expected to be added at certain parks.

“I would like to see more of a patrol patrolling at those late hours at night when it’s dark around here,” Martha Rodriguez shared.

She added while she wants to see more security, she is pleased with the cleanliness of the park as of late.

“Las Vegas is trying to clean it up as much as possible and I have noticed a big difference,” she added.

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