Mack’s vehicle clipped at Metro groundbreaking

Erin Neff

Wednesday, March 1, 2000 | 10:25 a.m.

The ground wasn't the only thing broken at a ceremony Tuesday morning marking the start of construction on Metro Police's new Academy and Northwest Area Command.

Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack walked back to his vehicle to find someone had clipped his side-view mirror and driven away without leaving a note.

"It was either (County Commissioner) Lance Malone or the sheriff," Mack joked after the incident.

Ironically, at an event filled with cops and politicians, nothing official has been reported about the damage to Mack's Chevrolet Tahoe.

Although relations between the city, Clark County and Metro have occasionally hit rough times, Mack seems an unlikely target for a deliberate act of vandalism.

Mack, the Ward 6 councilman, began representing the city's northwest area in January after being appointed to the post late last year. His appointment came months after the city threatened to deconsolidate Metro.

Deconsolidation talks had at one point left funding for the Northwest Area Command at 9600 W. Cheyenne Ave. in doubt. At that time, county officials, including Malone, said they wanted to wait to see what the city was doing before stepping out on a limb with county money.

The 17,000-square-foot facility got the green light, and its funding from both the county and city, after deconsolidation rumors were quelled.

When it opens in October, the new substation/academy will include a 140-seat auditorium, training rooms, locker rooms and outdoor track and field.

It will also feature a secured fenced parking area.