KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasGoodman Says Homeless Must Leave Area
(March 20) -- The homeless problem in the Las Vegas Valley is getting increasingly worse. On average, there are 150 people camped out on streets in downtown Las Vegas. Mayor Oscar Goodman says the problem is just days away from being cleaned up.
"It's become a real health hazard out there," he said.
Goodman has put a seven-day time limit to clean up the area near Foremaster Lane and Main Street.
"It will be done legally and humanely, I can assure you that," Goodman said. "Everybody out there will get a notice there will be beds available, social services available."
With the shelters full, many of these homeless say they have no where else to go. Metro officers have been patrolling the area to make sure nothing gets out of hand.
"The businesses are furious almost to the breaking point," said Sgt Eric Fricker of Metro Police. "I don't think it's going to be a matter if this place is going to be cleaned up; it's a matter of when, and that's what we're trying to figure out: how to clean this place up and balance the needs of businesses and the homeless."
Metro says today there are 44 beds available in local shelter. Officers interviewed 150 people, and only nine agree to go into it; the rest choose to stay outside.
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