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City begins revising rules that affect the homeless
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Las Vegas is starting to revise rules that sparked a lengthy legal battle over feeding homeless people in city parks and the treatment of the homeless in general.
In doing so, the city would be implementing a settlement reached with parties that sued Las Vegas over the issues, including homeless advocate Gail Sacco and the ACLU of Nevada.
The new rules would allow gatherings of up to 75 people without requiring a permit. The existing limit is 25 people.
They also specify that city marshals cannot force a person to leave a park "under the authority of any statute or ordinance relating to trespassing." People could not be banned unless there is evidence of unlawful activity, and in those cases a valid arrest must be made or a citation issued.
The new language also would remove a ban on feeding people in city parks. That ban already has been struck down in a federal lawsuit.
A City Council subcommittee approved the measure Tuesday. It heads next to the full council, which probably will vote on it this month.
"I hope they vote for it, and I hope this court matter is over and done with so we can put it in the past," said Sacco, who dedicates a lot of her time to distributing food to homeless people and poor households. "With the economy the way it is, we have a lot more poor people than we did."
While the feeding ban grabbed a lot of attention, the beefed-up standards for law enforcement are "really a core piece of both the original case and the settlement," said ACLU attorney Lee Rowland.
"There was far too much discretion," she said. "There were vague standards. It allowed people to be kicked out of the park when a crime had not been committed.
"We're very hopeful that this really marks the end of this unfortunate chapter in Las Vegas history."
In 2006, Las Vegas passed an ordinance making it illegal to feed an indigent person in a park for free or for a nominal fee. An indigent person was defined as a "person whom a reasonable ordinary person would believe to be entitled to apply for or receive assistance."
At the time, Mayor Oscar Goodman said offering homeless people food in places where other social services were not available kept the homeless from seeking services that could help them leave the streets behind.
Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.
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We need to vote EVERY sitting politician in the City of Las Vegas, and Clark County OUT OF OFFICE for the exception of Anthony.
"Sweetieheart"?? LOL! You must be from NY or NJ to use "friggen" LOL!! I actually do a lot to help less fortunate people here in Las Vegas. Maybe you should too. Or you could go back to the east where you belong.
To WeThePeople, so exactly what do you do to help less "fotunate" people in our community? Sweetieheart, your rant sort of makes you a friggen Native of Las Vegas Nut.
To Breaking News: You're a sample of everything wrong in this city. You're a transplant from God knows where, probably California, and have a picture of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign on your license plate. I, as a native of Las Vegas, want to help less fotunate people..God's people. Go back to LA LA Land!
we the people are usually complaining about why we don't help our poor & homeless as we donate our tax monies to other nations uncontrolled by us the taxpayer,well now here's our chance. these people need help any way we can help.in our current economy their are families whom are homeless and are totally grateful for any help available, living out of a vehicle for shelter would not be fun or easy to cope with.besides even if homeless only buy alcohol and cigarettes they also pay state &local taxes which support the maintenence of city parks. we people who have the luxury of a roof over our heads and usage of sanitation at a moments notice should be very grateful. you dont know how good you have it till you dont have. what's wrong with a picnic any way? as long as no unlawful activity takes place who is getting hurt? only good things can come of this for people in need,families with children especially. besides soup kitchens & shelters cannot always handle the needs with limited spaces to work with and serve the need.so i say YES/YES/YES help those less fortunate than us. did not mean to stereotype homeless as alcoholics or bums but that is the first image in minds of people due to over exposure of this element
What is Gail Saccos tax status? Is she a non-profit? Seriously, this woman is accepting and distributing goods and services in an area (parks) I pay taxes to maintain. What's her liability if she distributes food that makes people sick? None, UMC and my tax dollars will pick up the tab. I guess, just because this woman is well intentioned she gets a pass.
NO / NO / NO /...............................
GO TO 'SOUP KITCHENS' AT A CHURCH OR CENTER