In an effort to get ahold of the chronic homeless crisis plaguing east Las Vegas, Tick Segerblom, the Clark County Commissioner for District E, recently announced his proposal to shut down an extension of the Flamingo Arroyo Trail between Sahara and Boulder Highway. But closing part of the trail will not be a long-term solution, as this demographic is adept at cutting the locks the county uses to close off the pedestrian bridges and access areas to the wash. It will also penalize the residents who use the trail legally. The residents of District E deserve better solutions to this problem.
The homeless do not have a right to live or loiter on our trails or public rights-of-way. It is well known that drug abuse and mental health issues are common in this population, and many pose a public safety threat. Therefore, the chronically unhoused need to be trespassed, at the very least, and sent to a state-run drug rehab facility that offers wraparound services and after-care designed for their unique needs. There are two empty prisons in Jean, Nevada, which can serve this purpose. The government can partner with area nonprofits to offset costs.
This model works in other municipalities, and it can work here. Mr. Segerblom needs to look at best practices for long-term solutions for the chronically homeless rather than relying on temporary, stop-gap measures that have proven to be ineffective.
