Transportation safety facility to open

Monday, Aug. 8, 2005 | 9:39 a.m.

Metro Police and Las Vegas officials today are opening a new Transportation Safety Bureau in a remodeled building at St. Louis Avenue and Atlantic Street.

A ceremonial ribbon cutting will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m., followed by public tours beginning at a 6:30 p.m. open house.

Since Las Vegas ranks among the 50 largest cities in the United States, more officers are needed to work traffic enforcement, Clark County Sheriff Bill Young said.

"This new facility will allow the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to more effectively address the growing traffic issues in our city," Young said.

About 110 officers will be based at the Transportation Safety Bureau, covering three shifts for a 24-hour operation. The office will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

"Motorist and pedestrian safety is a challenge, and I applaud Sheriff Young and Captain Conlin for concentrating their efforts to meet this challenge head on," Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said. "I'm glad the city of Las Vegas was able to dedicate the funding and staff resources necessary to make this possible."

Crews from the city's Field Operations Department remodeled the 15,700-square-foot building that was built in 1978 as a Metro Police substation. The building, once used at the southeast area command, was vacant for three years when the area command moved to a facility a Pearl Street and Harmon Avenue.

The $264,000 building makeover was funded by the city and the police department. Work started in February and took five months to complete.

"The Transportation Safety Bureau is important for Las Vegas and for the residents who live nearby," said Las Vegas Councilman Gary Reese, who represents residents of Ward 3. "While transportation is the main focus of the operation, knowing this building has reopened and that there is police department presence once again, should come as welcome news to the community."

The new bureau will serve as hub for all aspects of traffic safety. Almost 100 traffic officers and their motorcycles will be headquartered at the Transportation Safety Bureau. From there, they can be dispatched to various locations throughout Las Vegas.

Traffic programs administered at the bureau include the Target DUI Detail, Hit and Run Detail and Fatal Accident Investigations.

"The public will be able to register firearms, file crime reports and accident reports here, and Spanish language assistance will be available," said Capt. Thomas Conlin, the bureau's commander.

However, copies of accident reports must still be obtained from the department's main office at City Hall at 400 Stewart Ave.