Neighborhood council called key to fighting crime

Dan Kulin

Friday, Sept. 27, 2002 | 9:26 a.m.

North Las Vegas Police will help residents of a troubled area establish the city's first "neighborhood council," which could represent the community before government officials, and oversee watch groups and citizen patrols, Police Chief Mark Paresi said Thursday.

Paresi and other police met with about 100 citizens Thursday at the Buena Vista Springs Apartments near the intersection of Carey Avenue and Martin L. King Boulevard. The meeting was held to discuss ways to fight crime and the gang problem that has plagued parts of North Las Vegas for years.

Police and residents said the police alone cannot solve the problem, and they need the help of the community, and especially parents.

"The community has to get involved in the community. The police can't do it alone," Councilman William Robinson said.

"It all starts with the parents," said neighborhood resident JD Thornton Jr., 58.

A similar meeting was held last week at an elementary school near where a 9-year-old girl was killed Sept. 7 in what police say was a gang-related shooting.

Paresi said Thursday that police will meet with residents within the next 30 days to organize a neighborhood council.

If the Buena Vista neighborhood council is successful, Paresi said he would hope to establish similar groups elsewhere in the city.

Sgt. Ed Ortiz, who runs the police substation at the Buena Vista complex, said a neighborhood council would "empower the community" because council members would represent a block of voters, and thus their concerns would carry more weight with politicians.

"If we come together, we can demand things and get more done," said neighborhood resident Ranaco Caffene, 30.

Residents at the Thursday meeting said they also need more job training programs in the neighborhood. One man said without adequate-paying jobs, some people are pushed to sell drugs to make ends meet.

"Jobs that pay a living wage are critical," Paresi said.

One man who said he was a former gang member said religion and strong families are key to stopping gangs.

Paresi said he plans to have more community meetings, but none are scheduled yet.

"This is the beginning of a long process" the chief said.