Columnist Jeff German: Homeless ranking should be improved

Friday, April 11, 2003 | 5:50 a.m.

LAS VEGAS, the nation's fastest-growing city, added yet another distinction last week to its long list of unflattering rankings.

Is there no end in sight?

The Washington-based National Coalition for the Homeless called Las Vegas the second most dangerous city in America for homeless people. Only Denver fared worse than Las Vegas in a study conducted by the respected organization.

According to the study, there were 13 violent crimes against the homeless here -- including four homicides -- from 1999 to 2002.

This was not a scientific study, but it did show a greater propensity for violence against the homeless here.

Should we be surprised? Probably not.

You name the social ill and Las Vegas, the gambling capital of the world, will rank among the worst in the country.

We are No. 1 in suicides, No. 1 in divorces, No. 3 in bankruptcies, No. 3 in abortions, No. 4 in rapes and No. 4 in alcohol-related deaths.

Though the presence of gambling may always skew our rankings in these categories, we should be able to improve the plight of the homeless.

But that won't happen without a more responsible attitude from Mayor Oscar Goodman, who has embarked on an agenda to make the homeless Public Enemy No. 1.

It's pretty easy to bash a group of people who contribute little to society, so there probably are many less-enlightened Las Vegans cheering on the mayor.

But don't we have a responsibility to deal with this problem with more compassion?

Michael Stoops, the homeless coalition's director of community organizing in Washington, said last week that Goodman's public comments about the homeless have been among the "most hateful" he has ever heard from a public official.

The mayor's words have left the impression with average citizens that it's all right to disrespect this segment of society, he said.

His words also make you wonder whether Goodman even wants to fix things.

When confronted with the coalition's findings last week, Goodman reacted in his usual combative way. He called the members of the coalition "jokes" and for the umpteenth time said to hell with the homeless.

Maybe that's why the voters re-elected Goodman last week by an overwhelming margin. Maybe that's what the voters want.

And maybe Las Vegas deserves to keep making those unflattering lists.

Still looking for compassion from someone in local officialdom are William and Juanita Wilson, whose failing Koala Motel sits in the dark shadow of the downtown Regional Justice Center.

Regular readers of this space will recall that the Wilsons are seeking compensation from Clark County for nearly destroying their business by allowing the 17-story justice center project to fall way behind schedule.

The county knows it has an obligation to help the Wilsons, but it has been taking its time trying to figure out how to help.

Now the city of Las Vegas has decided to make life miserable for the Wilsons, demanding they fork over $11,263 in back sewage fees by May 30 to avoid the embarrassment of being listed on the annual public tax roll of those who owe local taxes.

Last week Juanita Wilson wrote the city's Finance & Business Services Department a letter pleading for a break.

"We are writing to your office in response to our sewerage responsibilities," she wrote. "We are more than aware of the delinquent sewerage accounts owed.

"However, we are under severe financial distress (because of) continued delays over the Regional Justice Center, which has ruined our ability to operate what was once a viable tourist facility."

Is there anyone in the city with a conscience?