Thursday, April 18, 2002 | 11:08 a.m.
Metro Police increased the number of HELP Team officers assigned to assist and police the homeless population, but some homeless advocates say the team's reputation was harmed during last month's sweep of a downtown encampment.
"The HELP Team's participation in Palm Sunday's sweep has hurt their credibility with the homeless," said Brother David Buer, a Franciscan monk who provides meals and other services to the homeless.
But police say they have continued to assist the homeless and have not seen any fallout from the March 24 sweep of about 150 homeless people camped on the sidewalk of Foremaster Lane and Main Street. The sweep was done after health concerns were raised -- concerns that were seen by some homeless and advocates as just a cover story to move the encampment.
Metro's Homeless Evaluation Liaison Program Team used to consist of two officers working downtown, but since Monday the numbers have grown to four officers downtown and two officers in each in southeast and northwest area Metro stations. Additional HELP Team officers are being shifted from patrol units.
"Our relationship is better than it's ever been," said Sgt. Eric Fricker, supervisor of the Downtown Area Command HELP Team. "The law-abiding homeless people know we are there to make sure they are protected and to assist them."
The officers help the homeless navigate the social services system and police the homeless communities to make those living on the streets feel safe, Fricker said.
Buer said when HELP Team officers and a medical provider recently went to A Street, where some of the displaced homeless from Foremaster Lane set up camp, the homeless were appreciative.
"They continue to do good work," he said.
But the memory of officers clearing out homeless people camped on the sidewalk last month still leaves some civil liberties advocates leery.
"To the extent there are more officers trying the help the homeless, it is good, but to the extent they are used to roust the homeless it is not," said Allen Lichtenstein, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney.
Lichtenstein unsuccessfully petitioned a federal court judge to prevent the moving of the homeless from the sidewalk.
The homeless issue has drawn a lot of attention due in part to Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's statements about the problem. Goodman once called for housing the homeless in a vacant prison in Jean and blamed Salt Lake City officials for busing homeless to Las Vegas during the Olympics, a charge that was deemed to be untrue.
Lichtenstein said the answer is not more officers, but more physical and mental health care and shelter for the homeless.
"The issue remains, there is not adequate shelter space and there are not adequate services," he said. "The city, county and private sector need to make a commitment to dealing with homelessness."
Fricker says the HELP Team officers help homeless get medical attention and bring mental health workers to the camps.
"They are police officers who deal with issues like any officer would in a special needs community," Fricker said. "They do police the camps and if they identify someone in the community that is a criminal, an arrest will be made."
He denied that the officers are sent out to hassle the homeless or simply move them from one place to another.
"There is so much the officers can do to the make the situation better for the homeless," he said. "We have gotten people help. We've helped them get into programs and even get in touch with family when they asked for it."
Linda Lera-Randle El, a homeless advocate, said the HELP Team has a difficult job balancing police duties and homeless assistance. She said with the recent sweep on Foremaster Lane, the homeless feel like they are under siege and are a little apprehensive.
The HELP Team officers' presence during the sweep last month sent a "mixed message" to the homeless, Lera-Randle El said.
"I don't want to look at (adding HELP Team officers) in a negative manner, I'm hoping its a good move," she said. "If the mission is to assist, then it will be helpful. They have a tough job, since it is a mix between law enforcement and social work.
"When it goes too much one way or another, then it can get scary."
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