Homeless call on state to supply restroom space

Marvin Crenshaw glanced around the men's room of the Sawyer State Office Building and said: "All people should have access to facilities like that."

Crenshaw, a 47-year-old homeless man, was one of about 10 people who marched on the building Thursday afternoon to protest the lack of restroom facilities available to homeless people in Las Vegas.

"Sometimes I have to sneak into a Burger King or a Wendy's to go to the restroom," he said.

Oftentimes homeless people relieve themselves outside.

"People think that is disgusting. But where do they expect homeless people to go when there are no restroom facilities available?" Crenshaw asked.

The area near Owens Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard, which has four major shelters, has become a center for homelessness in Clark County. But it lacks 24-hour restroom facilities, said Franciscan Brother David Buer, an advocate for the homeless.

Buer said local governments have pledged enough money to provide portable toilets in the area and hire workers to ensure they aren't vandalized.

"Our big challenge is finding a site where we can set these toilets up. Nobody is stepping forward to offer a site," he said.

Buer has suggested that the state set aside a portion of the grounds at the state office building, 555 E. Washington Ave., to accommodate the portable restrooms.

After the protest, Buer and other advocates for the homeless met with Sonia Joya, Gov. Kenny Guinn's Southern Nevada district director.

"The group did a very good job of presenting its case," said Jack Finn, Guinn's press secretary. He added the state is not ruling out the use of state land for the portable toilets.

Finn said a committee is being formed consisting of representatives of the state, homeless advocates and local governments to address the problem.

Buer said he is encouraged by the response from the governor's office and is hopeful that swift action will be taken.

Operating a bank of portable toilets would cost about $5,100 a month, he has said. Part of the reason for the high cost is that people would have to be paid to monitor the restrooms to deter vandalism.

Clark County and the city of Las Vegas have informally agreed to give $15,000 each to help pay for the bathroom facilities for the first six months, he said. North Las Vegas is considering a pledge of less than $5,000. Until December, Catholic Charities operated portable restroom facilities at St. Vincent's homeless shelter.

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