Editorial: Making downtown more inviting again

Friday, June 15, 2001 | 4:56 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman justifiably is worried that street crimes -- such as drug dealing and prostitution -- are hampering the city's efforts to revitalize downtown. So it is encouraging that Metro Police is agreeing to Goodman's request that the department increase its focus on these lesser crimes.

There is a school of thought that not only do nonviolent crimes breed more violent criminal activity over time, but that they also have led to an exodus from big cities. So during the '90s some major cities got tough on street crimes. New York attributed much of its revitalization to these stepped-up efforts, but local officials should take care to avoid New York's excesses, which included police brutality allegations.

If there is more enforcement, one of the thornier issues that will be confronted is how to handle trespassing, which usually is linked with homelessness. For years the city of Las Vegas has taken the lead on aiding the homeless, but recently there have been troubling signs that the city's support is receding. Rather than rousting the homeless, the city should be devising ways to make sure they get help.

Cracking down on prostitution and drug dealing won't be the panacea to all the ills that have plagued downtown redevelopment. But it certainly is an important first step in making downtown streets safer and more inviting, which ultimately could lead to more homeowners and businesses relocating there.