Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

A victory in fight on urban blight

LAS Vegas and Clark County governments, to their credit, have made a strong commitment to the future of this community and its neighborhoods.

It's taken three years, but the agencies have beefed up staff, increased budgets and now have tougher laws to safeguard neighborhoods from threats to safety and property. That was not the case three years ago, when the SUN reported on nightmare cases that were threatening the health and lives of those who had the bad luck to be neighbors.

The neighbors were furious at sewage pouring into yards, garbage piled high and broken glass lying around. But nothing could be done about it. There wasn't enough staff. The laws were unclear. Government agencies didn't talk to each other.

But there was a growing realization among residents and their elected officials that many neighborhoods were in a downward spiral, thanks in part to a few irresponsible people. Existing neighborhoods needed a commitment to ensure they remained quality places to live. Otherwise, there would be a domino effect, with today's brand-new neighborhoods resembling neglected areas in another generation. That raised the specter of an urban blight expanding ever outward behind the newest developments.

Fortunately, the city and county took action. The County Commission gained additional enforcement powers from the Legislature. The city established a separate Department of Neighborhood Services and appointed a Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance Committee to find ways to improve the laws.

And a Southern Nevada Environmental Task Force was formed out of local government entities so activities could be coordinated and agencies would no longer have to act alone.

City and county employees began responding to the calls. Inspectors are on the scene within 48 hours, or sooner if there's a life-threatening emergency. Their job isn't always easy. Some complaints are minor and require a little nudging on the residents. Others may take court action.

Inspectors also walk a fine line on property rights. What one does on his property may only be his business. What affects nearby properties is something else again. Diplomacy may be the inspector's more effective tool.

City and county inspectors have become the front line in maintaining the future of this city by ensuring its neighborhoods are decent places to live. As Sharon Segerbloom, head of the city's Department of Neighborhood Services, describes it, "The city now recognizes that neighborhood blight starts with one problem property that's not dealt with."

She's right. And with that kind of commitment, the future looks brighter for many neighborhoods.

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