Editorial: Death on our streets

Monday, Dec. 8, 2003 | 8:43 a.m.

Linda Lera-Randle El, as executive director of Straight from the Streets, spends a lot of time assisting the homeless. Her immediate goal is to help them find shelter, food, clothing and government services. Her ultimate goal is to help them find their way back to a self-sustaining life. She's been working with the homeless every day for years and we put a lot of faith in what she has to say on this issue.

For the next couple of weeks she will be talking about the homeless people who have died this year in the Las Vegas Valley. On Dec. 19, for the seventh straight year, Lera-Randle El will lead a vigil in remembrance of those who died in the streets. So far this year 55 homeless people, including eight women and 15 senior citizens, have died. Last year the number was 50.

Five homeless people died this year of exposure and nine died while crossing a street or railroad tracks. Another nine were the victims of homicide. Lera-Randle El said many of the deaths among homeless people can be attributed to their addictions or mental health problems.

In drawing attention to the deaths, Lera-Randle El is drawing attention as well to the need for more homeless outreach programs. She says lives could be saved by reaching out to the homeless, rather than setting up a homeless corridor and expecting the homeless to make their way there. We don't know of many people who have a better perspective on the homeless than Lera-Randle El. As we contemplate the deaths on our streets, we should also contemplate her suggestion. She's a person whose words should be as sought after in City Hall as they are on the street.