Editorial: Threats do merit response

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000 | 10:03 a.m.

It's a shame that the Department of Motor Vehicles has to hire more armed guards in response to threats against its employees. On Monday the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee approved the use of $113,000 to pay for these guards at the North Las Vegas office and the Reno and Sparks express locations. The other offices in Reno and Las Vegas already have armed security.

DMV Director Richard Kirkland, who was supported by Gov. Kenny Guinn in adding the guards, noted that employees have been grabbed by the throat or threatened with death or other harm. Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas, backs the additional measures, contending that armed guards are the best deterrent to crimes. But Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, questions the need, saying armed guards in government agencies have been a failure. Instead, Rawson said, a way must be found to lessen the tensions.

In some respects, both O'Donnell and Rawson are correct. Hiring more security guards may be a short-term fix, but if public employees who man the counters are being threatened with violence, and in some cases actually assaulted, then the employer has to act responsibly. Still, Rawson is right that other alternatives should be considered to eliminate the tension. One way to alleviate the friction in the offices is reducing the long lines; the DMV did receive legislative approval Monday to add 64 part-time workers to help shorten what now can seem to be an interminable wait. But the bottom line is that delays and poor customer service never can be excuses for violence.

It is not just government agencies, though, that are taking additional steps to boost their security. Private firms also have increased their security to protect themselves from upset customers and even disgruntled employees. In general, people today seem to have a shorter fuse, which can be observed daily, whether it's road rage, air rage or workplace violence.

It wasn't that long ago that armed guards were considered unthinkable in Nevada government agencies, which prided themselves on being accessible to the public. But it also shouldn't be forgotten that during the early and mid-1990s there was a rash of violence against public employees in Nevada, including bombings and shootings. Unfortunately, until the combative environment in government offices abates, heightened security measures will be a fact of life.