Editorial: Lives could be saved

Monday, Aug. 23, 2004 | 8:53 a.m.

There are more than 23,000 houses and apartments for rent in North Las Vegas and city officials do not want to wait for a tragic fire before launching an inspection program. They are proposing to charge landlords $50 a year for each rental unit, in exchange for a once-a-year city inspection for fire and other safety hazards. "The goal is to protect the public," says City Manager Gregory Rose.

The program would include all units more than two years old. Landlords would be notified two weeks before the inspection and be given 90 days after the inspection to fix any violations of minimum health and safety standards. Landlords whose properties are exceptionally well kept, meeting or exceeding all of the city's codes, would be given a one-year break from the inspection fee.

If the North Las Vegas City Council ultimately approves the plan, it would be the first of its kind in the state. We believe this proactive approach to public safety is commendable. There is nothing more tragic than a house fire that takes the lives of family members, especially when a working smoke detector, or the installation of new wiring, could have prevented it.