Tuesday, March 25, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
A committee is forming to look at attacking rampant crime in Meadows Village, the low-income neighborhood surrounding the Stratosphere Tower.
Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones suggested creating the joint task force with Metro Police after problems at Meadows Village came to light earlier this month. Since July, there have been five murders and 14 shootings in the neighborhood.
Jones told Sheriff Jerry Keller at Monday's City Council meeting that the area "is an example in microcosm of some of the problems we have (with crime)."
"The problems have been accelerating," she said, noting efforts that began in 1989 significantly curbed crime. "We had it where residents could go to the park. That doesn't exist anymore because they don't feel safe. ... My only goal would be that residents in Meadows Village feel safe to go outside."
She suggested that unused federal Weed and Seed money earmarked for Meadows Village be used to cover overtime for officers.
"I understand you don't have adequate officers," Jones told the sheriff. "We're just asking that you understand our problems. When citizens don't feel safe enough to go outside their homes, there's a problem."
Councilman Gary Reese, whose ward includes Meadows Village, said his responsibility is to provide safety for the citizens. He cited panhandling, urban camping, people living in vacant houses and drug dealing as major problems in his ward.
"Without Metro's cooperation, we can't do anything about it. I need Metro's commitment," he said.
Keller said that was why he came before the council, "to re-pledge my commitment."
"(But) cops are not social engineers," Keller said. "I would remind you, it takes more than a police department."
Keller noted that in 1986 two officers started a foot patrol over half a square mile in Meadows Village and that by 1992, the neighborhood was densely populated and there were 9,000 calls for service. Keller cited as accomplishments the various programs in which Metro officers participate.
He also said more officers from the downtown substation have been assigned to Meadows Village.
When the downtown substation opened last year, the bike patrol squad in Meadows Village was pulled out of the neighborhood to help man the new downtown area command.
Hattie Canty, president of Culinary Union Local 226, told the council she lives with the crime in Meadows Village every day because she works at the Culinary office at 1600 S. Commerce St. She said three union members were mugged at the union office.
"If I have to be at work early in the morning, I have to alert someone (to meet me)," Canty said. "The crime rate has forced us to put up a 10-foot wall."
She said she hoped Metro would work with the city to fight crime in the area, adding that the Culinary Union would like to help.
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