Residents reassured on homeland security

Jace Radke

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002 | 8:28 a.m.

Bernie Goodemote left Tuesday night's neighborhood meeting at the Metro Police Northeast Substation satisfied that the department is doing everything possible to prepare for potential terrorist attacks.

"As a civilian, I've been trying to stay alert and look for anything out of the ordinary, and it's nice to know that the police are doing the same things," said Goodemote, a Neighborhood Watch block captain in the area of Washington Avenue and Lamb Boulevard.

Goodemote was joined by about 30 residents at Metro's monthly "First Tuesday" meeting, during which officers attempt to address residents' concerns.

Deputy Chief Ray Flynn fielded questions concerning Metro's preparations for possible terrorism in Clark County.

"We've done risk assessments and redeployed some of our officers in light of these new threats," Flynn said. "You'll see significantly more officers at McCarran International Airport and Hoover Dam, and we're also helping the water district secure some locations."

Jerald Salts, who owns two homes in the northeast, asked Flynn about the department's ability to quickly respond to a disaster.

"We have the ability to immediately go to 12-hour shifts and cancel days off, so we'd have plenty of coverage," Flynn said.

In the weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks police met with representatives of the gaming industry, utility companies, transportation, Nellis Air Force Base and the National Guard to assess threats and install lines of communication, Flynn said.

"We have a plan for every division in the department," Flynn said. "Everyone, including the clerk in the evidence vault, knows what's expected of them."

Flynn also stressed that residents should call Metro's 311 number to report anything suspicious.

"Those first few weeks we had several hundred calls about anthrax," Flynn said. "One was a guy who had bought some chocolate doughnuts and found some white powder on one.

"Thankfully none of those calls turned out to be legitimate, but we want residents to call if they notice something out of the ordinary."

Tips for those concerned about homeland security can be found at Metro's website (www.lvmpd.com).