Where I Stand — Bill Young: Security is paramount

Friday, Aug. 8, 2003 | 8:43 a.m.

Editor's note: In August the Where I Stand column is written by guest writers. Today's columnist, Bill Young, is the sheriff of Clark County.

SINCE SEPT. 11 we've all heard about homeland security, the phrase that has come to symbolize protecting our borders and our citizens. Much has also been said about homeland security funding. In fact, as the sheriff of Clark County, I've done a lot of the talking. And for good reason: I want the people who live and work here to know that as head of the largest enforcement agency in Southern Nevada, I want to make sure we are getting our fair share of money that ultimately will be used to protect the citizenry in the event of a terrorist attack here.

In order to combat or to prevent a repeat of such a tragedy, local law enforcement must be vigilant and prepared. But all the preventive steps come with a hefty price tag. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has already taken numerous steps to prevent, investigate and respond to a possible terrorist incident. The first step was to establish a Homeland Security Bureau within Metro Police.

The Homeland Security Bureau has tasked both commissioned and civilian personnel to focus solely on protecting the citizens and visitors of the Las Vegas Valley. Additionally, detectives from other bureaus have undergone training that has prepared them to respond to any acts of terrorism. This outfitting and training was done within Metro Police's existing budget.

During all of this, Las Vegas continues to experience a massive growth in population. In April 2003, 7,500 new residents moved into our city. On any given weekend, Las Vegas can expect several hundred thousand visitors. Fortunately our hotels have excellent security forces that serve as a great complement to Metro Police, but Metro Police must still respond to criminal incidents on or off hotel property.

This growth has meant more responsibility for law enforcement, medical and fire personnel. Metro Police has been asked to take on the growth without being given the ability to hire new officers or money necessary to operate at its best. Metro Police is currently operating at 1.7 officers per thousand residents. The national average is 2.5 officers per thousand residents. But Metro Police is not alone. Every public service agency is feeling the tightening of the purse strings.

The federal government is assisting local governments with homeland security funding. This funding is distributed via various formulas. Recently 30 U.S. cities received a portion of $700 million in federal aid. Las Vegas was left off this list, apparently because we did not meet these three requirements: population density, critical infrastructure of national importance and relative threat.

I find this formula skewed in that Las Vegas is ranked 33rd in population in the United States, McCarran International Airport is the seventh-busiest airport in the country, and during a recent terrorism trial in Detroit, Las Vegas was named as a target. We also know that some of the Sept. 11 terrorists met in Las Vegas, and that our culture is purported to be everything the terrorists despise.

Another recent release of federal money, in the amount of $6.7 million, was allocated to Nevada for homeland security measures. Of this money, Clark County will receive less than a third ($2.1 million) even though we comprise 70 percent of Nevada's residents and some of the largest hotels in the world. If things were equitable, we should receive 70 percent of the funding. Let's face it, if there was a terrorist attack in Nevada, Las Vegas has a greater chance of being targeted than, say, a rural county.

There needs to be change at the state and federal levels, and it may already be taking place. Three weeks ago we learned that the Department of Justice's Office of Domestic Preparedness is giving Clark County $7.5 million out of $12 million in federal aid. This is a good start. I hope in the future the funds will be dispersed using an equity formula in which the number of people occupying a county is factored into the amount given.

The immediate need for local law enforcement and fire personnel is radio inter-operability, which would allow us to link our communications systems. We need to communicate with each other in order to work together. We also need personal protective equipment for every public safety worker. Law enforcement needs continuous funding in order to investigate and prevent future terrorism attacks.

In the constant battle against terrorist acts, everyone must be diligent in their efforts. Law enforcement is only part of the preventive measure. All citizens must assist in keeping this community safe. Let your local politicians know that homeland security is important to us, and that the cost of not getting adequate funding could be a cost that is too high.