Metro busy with family fights

By Jeff O'Brien

Friday, Oct. 17, 2008 | midnight

Metro's South Central Area Command held its monthly "First Tuesday" meeting on Oct. 8, providing an opportunity for the public and law enforcement officials to share information and address concerns about public safety.

The focus of October's meeting was domestic violence, and Detective Gary Kuehl — one of the 18 detectives assigned to Metro's Domestic Violence Detail — was on-hand to give an overview of the department's mission.

Last year, Metro responded to approximately 23,000 domestic-related crimes.

Domestic violence typically involves people who are related by blood, by marriage or couples who are dating or living together, Kuehl said.

"Domestic violence can include crimes like stalking, violating temporary protection orders or harassing phone calls," Kuehl said. "We also respond to more serious domestic violence like battery, assault with a deadly weapon or attempted murder."

Intimidation, emotional abuse and using children to make a parent or spouse feel guilty are also forms of domestic violence. Before an arrest can be made, Metro must determine whether a domestic relationship exists and whether domestic violence occurred within the last 24 hours.

Kuehl described the "CARE" approach for both victims and bystanders in preventing and responding to domestic violence.

The letter "C" stands for "call" — call the police if you see or hear suspicious activity.

"A" stands for "act," or trying to get other citizens to assist if you hear or see anything suspicious, especially a physical confrontation.

"R" stands for "react" — writing down license plates and getting physical descriptions of any people involved in a dispute.

Finally, the letter "E" stands for "educate", or spreading the word to fellow citizens about how to prevent domestic violence.

In 2007, there were 25 deaths within Metro's jurisdiction as a result of domestic violence. Kuehl and his fellow officers stressed that leaving an abusive relationship should never be considered impossible.

"No one deserves to be battered," he said. "Tell your fellow citizens about this method and share these tips."

In other news at the meeting, a local resident raised concerns about break-ins at a storage facility that he owns in Silverado. Phil Regeski of Southern Highlands said that burglars have been sneaking into his facility and breaking into RV homes that are stored on the property.

"We're right next to the freeway and a lot of the properties around us are vacant properties," Regeski said. "We've been trying to be as proactive as possible, but when they break into someone's motorhome and take stuff, it sure is hard on my business."

The first step in addressing the problem is crime prevention through environmental design, said Capt. Brian Greenway, bureau commander of the South Central Area Command.

"We'll come out and take a look at your property," Greenway said. "Maybe you can trim some bushes or install additional lighting. We'll also make a conscious effort to get some extra units out there to patrol the area."

Capt. Charles Hank was introduced as the leader of the new Convention Center Area Command, which will open on Nov. 1 at 750 Sierra Vista Drive.

The primary coverage area of the new command will be The Strip, which previously fell under the jurisdiction of the South Central Area Command, Hank said.

The boundaries of the Convention Center Area Command will be Sahara Avenue to the north, Russell Road to the south, Interstate 15 to the west and Swenson Street to the east.

Mayor Oscar Goodman as well as the Las Vegas City Council and Clark County Commission will attend the command's dedication ceremony on Oct. 28.

"We wanted to make sure we have a stronger focus on the tourist corridor and The Strip," Hank said. "It will also lessen the burden on the South Central Area Command. I'm sure they won't mind us taking their workload from The Strip on Friday and Saturday nights."

The next "First Tuesday" meeting is at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the South Central Area Command, at 4860 S. Las Vegas Blvd. near the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Russell Road.

Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or [email protected].