Meadows residents celebrate Night Out with more cops

Jace Radke

Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1999 | 10:47 a.m.

In a neighborhood accustomed to hearing the sound of gunfire, the popping of balloons was a startling, but not unwelcome sound Tuesday night at Chester Stupak Park.

The balloons were part of a neighborhood celebration for a new community policing plan that city officials and residents are counting on to clean up crime in the Meadows Village area.

"This neighborhood used to be called the 'Naked City,' and it was the most dangerous area in the valley," Mayor Oscar Goodman said to the crowd of about 200 people at the park. "But now something marvelous is happening because of the efforts of the city, the police and you, the residents.

"We've combined to make what was a blight into a delight."

Goodman, Councilman Michael McDonald and Metro Police officials were on hand at the park at Fairfield and Boston avenues to celebrate the kickoff of the community policing plan and the 16th annual National Night Out.

National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday of August every year in over 9,000 communities across the country to promote awareness of crime prevention and to strengthen neighborhood spirit.

At several valley locations Metro, North Las Vegas and Henderson police provided free food, entertainment and information.

"Here in Meadows Village we are not only celebrating National Night Out, but the installation of seven full-time officers that will be responsible for this area," said Captain Dan Barry of the Downtown Area Command. "We want to make this a safer area to live, and community policing is a step toward that goal."

Metro has rented space in the Monterey Villas apartments just west of the park on Tam Drive for the seven officers to work out of. At least one officer will be working the area at all times, with the others being on call, Barry said.

Along with hot dogs, police gave residents fliers with contact numbers of the officers stationed in Meadows Village.

"This isn't a quick fix but a long-term solution," Barry said. "The crime rate here has dropped, but it is still not where we'd like to see it.

"What it really depends on is the citizens. They are the important element we need to be able to work with in making this a safer neighborhood."

One of those citizens is 80-year-old Gertie Taves, who manages the New York apartments on nearby New York Avenue. She says she has not been afraid to call police when they're needed in the neighborhood.

"I've been here for 14 years, and I've seen the neighborhood start to get better," Taves said. "The police are doing a heck of a good job, and having some of them here all the time will be a big help to the community."