Letter: Less fortunate deserve our help

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003 | 9:20 a.m.

Most Americans believe in equal treatment under the law for all citizens. They also believe that in a representative democracy, every constituent should be treated equally. It is unfortunate that our elected leaders do not always equally represent homeless families, homeless individuals, homeless veterans and the mentally ill.

The Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition established the Southern Nevada Homeless Task Force about a year and a half ago. This subcommittee is scheduled to meet again on Sept. 24 -- four months after its last meeting. The task force does not treat homelessness as a priority, despite the lack of emergency shelters and beds in general.

It is a shame and a disgrace that Las Vegas, home of the homeless corridor for the valley, has been named by the National Coalition for the Homeless as the meanest city in the country. The city of Las Vegas was warned a year ago that the criminalization of homelessness and the reduction of services would lead to this shameful designation.

The answer from local officials is that the national coalition is not correct. Unfortunately, the coalition is correct because our homeless are treated unequally under the law. They don't have emergency shelters and the city of Las Vegas continues to reduce services.

All homeless veterans, mentally ill people and homeless families deserve our help.

FRANK PERNA