Letter: Religious leaders should criticize homeless policy

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003 | 8:35 a.m.

Because a basic tenet of all religions is to care for the needy, I would like to see members of the religious community join with those of us who are opposing the city of Las Vegas' treatment of the homeless.

In the latest outrage, on Sept. 24 outside the Salvation Army on West Owens Avenue, Metro Police officers were accompanied by bureaucrats with the city's Neighborhood Services Department. The belongings of about 20 people were loaded into a city truck and trashed. This action violated the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the 14th Amendment.

I hope the Salvation Army did not assist in the outrage. If the reason for the sweep was to retrieve shopping carts, the supermarkets should have been called, not the police. The homeless lost personal documents and possessions that will be difficult, if not impossible, to replace.

The Las Vegas homeless population includes veterans (about 30 percent), mentally ill people (about 40 percent) and families with children. About 40 percent work at minimum-wage jobs.

Las Vegas' vendetta against the homeless must cease. Obviously, the city's designation by the National Coalition for the Homeless as the "meanest" city in America has taught Mayor Oscar Goodman and the City Council nothing. They are in denial.

Religious leaders should join advocates at the next City Council meeting to add their voices in outrage at the punitive and inhumane treatment of our fellow citizens.

FRANK PERNA