LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Sheriff Kevin McMahill tells FOX5 that his department’s approach to enforce homeless camping bans has not changed, even though governments across the Las Vegas Valley are passing new and tougher ordinances.
“I would say we’re already enforcing it– but our approach hasn’t changed in this. The reality of it is, that all of the laws that are passed are really sort of a reflection of how we’ve treated this problem all along,” McMahill said to FOX5. “We know the data tells us that 19 or 20 times you offer [help] before somebody accepts services, but at the same time, the answer is not to remove all responsibility from those unhoused individuals, to let them sleep where they want, or defecate where they want,” McMahill said.
On November 5, Clark County passed its hotly-debated camping ordinance, though it takes effect in January. On November 6, the City of Las Vegas passed its strengthened sidewalk sleeping ban; it went into effect November 10.
LVMPD leaders have told FOX5 and Clark County commissioners that arrest continues to be a “last resort” for officers: their Homeless Outreach Teams or “HOT” teams work with social service teams to offer services, shelter and a ride to reach an available bed.
McMahill said LVMPD already has a policy when encountering homeless individuals: officers must use discretion in situations where they encounter someone who is mentally ill or needs medical intervention from a drug-related episode.
“Sometimes they’re in a drug psychosis…the only place that is able to help them is either the emergency room or at the jail where we have an entire unit set aside for those that are coming off the drugs very, very slowly or find themselves in a mental health situation. So those policies are all very clear to the officers, they follow them,” McMahill said.
“The sad part of that is, that incarceration doesn’t fix mental health, addiction or homelessness. There’s a lot of people out there that you know, when you look at homeless, it’s really not a choice, right? They’re either addicted and have mental health issues,” he said.
McMahill said he looks forward to a real solution: hundreds of millions of dollars infused into treatment and housing options along the “Corridor of Hope” in the City of Las Vegas, anchored by The Courtyard.
In 2023, lawmakers passed AB528, providing $100 million to social services for the homeless. Several Las Vegas resorts will also donate $100 million for services. A committee has been formed to plan for use of the funds, according to the City of Las Vegas.
From my perspective as the sheriff, that is going to be an absolute game changer on our streets here. I think we’re going to really truly get to a place where we can help people that really have found themselves with no hope,” McMahill said.
Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.
