Broken windows Part II

Recently I spoke of the smut peddlers on the Las Vegas Strip and how it is contributing to the degradation of the famous tourist hotspot.

While working the strip in previous years, it was noted that getting anywhere in a timely manner on Las Vegas Boulevard was next to impossible for emergency personnel, so a bicycle patrol was implemented to weave through the pedestrian and vehicle traffic to service the calls on the strip.

The bike patrol was, and is, successful to a point. 

The calls for service on the strip kept the bike officers busy, going from call to call and not able to do much pro-active patrol.

Drunken revelers, the homeless harassing tourists, smut peddlers clogging the sidewalks (all contributing heavily to the litter and traffic jams along the strip corridor), illegal sales of merchandise, traffic problems from sightseers, jaywalkers and illegal parking are some of the issues that officers have to deal with along the neon route. 

When traffic enforcement is implemented, it causes “rubbernecking” as drivers slow down, sometimes videotaping the stop, contributing to the slowdown of traffic, sometimes causing additional accidents.

When pedestrian enforcement is conducted, it causes the same congestion.

Prisoner transports are impeded by heavy traffic, so while waiting to get a prisoner transported, the officers are sometimes harassed by by-passers, yelling words of encouragement to the trouble-maker. And with the advent of social media outlets, everyone wants to get photos or videos of the event.

If medical response is needed, they encounter the same problem.

How about getting the contracted tow companies to have trucks positioned along the strip, waiting for a call from police?  I’m sure the requests would increase if the police knew that a tow would respond within a timely manner (and make it mandatory to get a realistic estimated time of arrival for the tow company. The department claims there is a minimum response time, but it is rarely followed).

And dedicated transport vehicles that patrol the strip for quick pickups and transports to jail every day (Civilians trained to conduct transports, maybe?).

Undercover officers that target peddlers/solicitors/vendors that are causing pedestrian problems along the sidewalk.

The very recognizable parking issues along the problem areas of the strip can be dealt with by officers on foot.

How about raised walkways over all intersections on the strip?  Harmon and Las Vegas Blvd. has ALWAYS been a problem, jaywalkers and vehicular traffic alike.

I’m more than sure there is a cost issue associated with the implementation of any plan, but how much is it costing Las Vegas in revenues by chasing our lifeblood away from returning and giving Las Vegas bad press to their friends in the meantime?