LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – In a FOX5 follow up, we have learned what it’s like to be a business owner in Downtown Las Vegas these days.
This, after several owners and workers voiced their concerns to Metro Police at the Downtown Area Command during a First Tuesday event.
They say crime and issues with homeless people are daily occurrences.
The owner of Hub Cap Annie, David Bowe is happy police are listening.
Bowe says he saw an increased police presence Wednesday morning, the day after the event, and officers personally came to his shop to let him know his concerns were heard.
Because what he deals with nearly every day is something most of us wouldn’t do even if we were on the clock.
“The first thing we’re going to do is walk around the perimeter and clean up any bottles, trash needles, human feces. It does happen enough where it’s a problem,” Bowe said.
He says the area looks clean now because his small team takes about 30 minutes every morning sprucing up the parking lot, sidewalk and entry, to make his shop welcoming to customers.
“I need to give a safe place for my customers to come. They come from all over the city,” Bowe said. “There has been times when I‘ve went outside and met somebody in the parking lot to escort them in instead of them having to walk by a shady character.”
Bowe says he’s thankful police heard his calls for help.
“They are very attentive, responsive and they want to help. They want to clean up the Downtown area and that’s welcoming,” Bowe said.
He’s is also encouraged Mayor Shelley Berkley wants to help saying this in her recent State of the City address.
“Human beings should not be living on the streets. I am committed to doing everything I can to help the homeless and protect our residents and visitors alike,” Berkley said.
The Mayor says she plans to start meeting with shelters and groups that work with the homeless in early June to come up with a plan to get them off the streets, and on a path to lead more productive lives.
Here’s what Bowe had to say about waiting until June.
“The sooner the better. It has gotten progressively worse over the last few years,” Bowe said.
Our FOX5 crew saw the issues with our own eyes, as someone relieved themselves right in front of us in the parking lot in broad daylight.
“This is the kind of stuff I have got to deal with all day long,” Bowe said. “I mean, I think that’s against the law to just urinate right there in public.”
Yes, it is illegal.
Bowe says in addition to daily cleanups, he’s going to take advantage of the city’s Business Security Grant Program which gives businesses $5,000 to beef up their security systems, like adding fencing, lighting and security cameras.
The city’s MORE Team or Multi-agency Outreach Resource Engagement team helps homeless individuals with mobile intervention.
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