Political

Small Clusters of Sex Offenders Somewhat Common

Clark County and Incorporated Cities (Image courtesy Wikipedia.org)

Residents of Las Vegas and much of Southern Nevada can readily view on a digital map whether registered sex offenders live near their homes or even places of work. It’s a public awareness effort that anyone with a computer and Internet service can easily access as per NRS 179B.250. Furthermore, any citizen can sign up for updates via e-mail alerting you that a known sexual offender has moved into your self-designated neighborhood. It can be accessed at www.LVMPD.com, clicking on ‘Sex Offenders’ and following the directions. The program itself is called ‘OffenderWatch.’ For a few years now, I have subscribed to this free public service.

What surprised me is when I recently received several e-mail alerts. Concerned about several notifications of sexual offenders moving to the Sunrise Manor – Stewart Place area, I went online and conducted a search of known, convicted and registered sex offenders in the surrounding area. What I found, surprised me even more.

While there was a smattering of offenders strewn throughout various neighborhood streets, there were two clusters nearby that concerned me. The larger of the two clusters with six registered offenders was at 5250 Stewart Avenue, an apartment complex about 500 yards away, next to the Chuck E. Cheese family pizza parlor, and surprisingly close to the nearby elementary school Richard Rundle. Of the six, one was listed as sexually abusing a child and three are convicted of lewdness with a minor under 14.

• Within .5 miles, there are 15 registered offenders in 8 locations.
• Within 1 mile, there are 26 registered offenders in 19 locations.
• Within 2 miles, there are 95 registered offenders in 80 locations.

Click here for map of the area and brief listing – Sex Offenders in the Neighborhood

Under the impression the registered sex offenders were not allowed to live so close by, I inquired with a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department representative from Crimes Against Youth & Family about how it works – and how it doesn’t work. Unfortunately, there is nothing preventing the nearby cluster of sex offenders – not the cluster, not the proximity to the elementary school, or family restaurant. As for the clustering, the representative said it was simply a natural byproduct of a higher-density of housing, or more people live in closer proximity in apartment complexes.

This information is also available through the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at http://www.nvsexoffenders.gov/. It provides broader information and for those outside of Clark County. Searching their mapping database called ‘Family Watchdog’, there are clusters that are clearly visible including downtown Las Vegas, parts of Boulder Highway, in particularly near several daily-weekly motels, part of MLK Boulevard, part of Nellis Boulevard and Twain Avenue.

The key is the level of the sexual offender, whether Tier 0, Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III. Tier III is the worst. Information on Tier 0 and Tier I offenders is not allowed by NRS to be shared with the public. And of course there are those that do not register as required by law and are unaccounted for. According to the DPS statistics page, nearly 3,000 in Nevada do not follow parts of the registration tracking program. In total, the state lists some 16,000 plus sexual offender cases.

From the State of Nevada Department of Public Safety –

Tier 0 (No assessment required)

Convicted sex offenders who are required to register; however, they are convicted of a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or crime against a child, and are not subject to community notification. These offenders are not subject to a risk assessment and therefore the identities of these offenders will not be posted to this Website because their offense is not listed under NRS 179D.620.

Tier 1 (Low risk)

A convicted sex offender who is assessed as posing a possible risk of recidivism and threat to public safety. Notification shall be provided only to persons authorized to receive criminal history record information. Typically, this includes law enforcement, prosecutors and courts. Assessment information is not intended for the general public therefore the identities of these offenders will not be posted to this Website.

Tier 2 (Moderate risk)

A convicted sex offender who is assessed as posing a probable risk of recidivism and threat to public safety. Requires notification to law enforcement and organizations in the community, including schools, religious and youth organizations, as well as prosecutors and courts. Nevada state law (NRS 179B.250) permits the Nevada Sex Offender Registry to release certain information about all Tier 2 Level offenders. The information shared with the general public, if available, is on this Website and includes the following:

· The offender’s name, including any aliases

· Tier Level

· Year(s) of birth used by the offender

· Physical description

· Residential address, block number of the address of the employer, and block number of the address of
the school of the offender

· Name offender convicted under

· City / County / Township of conviction

· Description of conviction

· Statute

· Penal Institution / hospital committed for sexual offense

· The offense for which the offender was convicted

· The date and location of each conviction

· A photographic image of the offender, if available

All Tier 2 offenders are listed on this Website.

 Tier 3 (High risk)

A convicted sex offender who is assessed as posing a substantial risk of recidivism and threat to public safety. Requires notification to law enforcement, organizations in the community, including schools, religious and youth organizations, prosecutors and courts and general community notification. The same information listed under Tier 2 is also available to the public on Tier 3 offenders. All Tier 3 offenders are listed on this Website.

The City of Las Vegas Continues to Take a Light View of Pigeon Infestations

City of Las Vegas a Pigeon Paradise

Recently, the City of Henderson City Council passed a measure formally declaring pigeons a public nuisance (http://www.lvrj.com/news/henderson-declares-pigeons-unwelcome-130251278.html).Numerous undersides of bridges, e.g. US 93/95, older buildings, signage, and especially rooftops within the older parts of the City of Las Vegas, are infested with pigeons, and yet the overly-permissive language and inaction remains.

After contacting the City of Las Vegas Animal Control at 229-6444, it appears that the major difference is that the City of Las Vegas is far more passive in pigeon control, not citing those who constantly feed the ‘feral’ pigeons while the City of Henderson will do so. According to the recent article, the pigeons carry some 60 diseases. The source did suggest however, that if the pigeons would constantly defecate on
another person’s property, that property owner could call and complain whereby an Animal Control officer would respond. The decision to cite would then be at their discretion.

One indicator of how little importance this health problem is taken can be gleaned by the light language and ineffective myths, e.g. artificial owl, cat, that are proposed on the website.

From the City of Las Vegas website, Animal Control (obtained 10/24/11) (http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/information/4189.htm)

Nuisance Pigeons

Animal Control recognizes that urban pigeons can be a source of annoyance to many people and local businesses. Urban pigeons are considered unprotected feral birds. The urban environment provides an ideal accommodation for pigeons, mainly because of a plentiful food supply,made to order sheltering facilities and a lack of natural enemies. Please consider the following when dealing with nuisance pigeons:

• Eliminate the food sources by covering trash receptacles, pick up refuse or discarded food products. Don’t feed your pets or leave food dishes outside.  
• Pigeon proof your structure by enclosing the openings to vents, attics, eaves, garages and around air conditioning units with screen material. Flat surfaces at roof edges may be fitted with a beveled piece of wood to make perching difficult.  
• Purchase an artificial predator such as an owl, hawk, snake or cat, and post in area where pigeons congregate.
• Population reduction: Most pigeon infestations occur on private property and it is the owner’s responsibility to attend to the problem. Sometimes the infestation is so great that eradication is the only viable solution. Many private pest control agencies are knowledgeable and licensed to handle pigeon infestation. Follow up preventative maintenance is absolutely necessary in order to eliminate the possibility of reinfestation. Shooting pigeons or using explosive devices to scare pigeons is unlawful within the city limits of Las Vegas.

Signs of Government Efficiency

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Signs of government efficiency.

A simple right-turn indicator clearly marking the street. What about the above-ground signage? What would that look like?

Well, let’s place a sign that is clearly readable … errr … oops. Okay, scratch that. Let’s take it down and place it further along and clearly visible. There we have it!

Well, okay, perhaps someone forgot to take down the partially visible. Leaving a partially visible sign up and not properly moving it to a fully visible sight – not smart; letting the general public pay – priceless, i.e. if you are the government entity.