Saturday, November 25, 2006

Homeless man held in stabbing of another after argument




The fight started Thursday after the suspect broke several of the park's sprinklers, which had soaked him

that afternoon, according to homeless people at the park and homeless advocate Gail Sacco.

The destruction of the sprinklers angered other homeless people, who feared it would fuel anti-homeless sentiment, they said.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Nov-25-Sat-2006/news/11047351.html

Mom's Comments:


Side note: On Thursday, the park sprinklers were on all day and night.


Eating food does not cause violence. On the contrary, coming to the table together helps build community. It gives us a chance to meet, talk, and learn from one another. This builds a common respect for one another. It also gives us a chance to work on solutions to getting off the streets.

[No one factor by itself causes violence. We do know that Poverty and Oppression can contribute to aggression and violence.]

However, most homeless people are not criminals. In fact, homeless people are one of our most vulnerable populations. This vulnerable population includes men, women, and children.

The prevalence of hate crimes and violence against homeless people has risen, as well as negative stereotyping reinforced by the general media and intolerant people.

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/hatecrimes/pressrelease.html

When a homeless person gets assaulted or killed, there is usually not too many people interested. But when a homeless person gets killed by another homeless person then it's used to stereotype all homeless people.

The crime statistics being reported for the Huntridge Circle Park area is for a one-mile radius. This area is from north of Stewart Ave., down to Karen Ave. which is south of Sahara, to the east past 21st Street which has always been a heavy gang area, and a half-mile to the west of the Las Vegas Strip.

This area does not accurately describe the area of Huntridge Circle Park.


According to the article in the Las Vegas Review Journal on Saturday, November 25th, "In the past two months, there have been 74 burglaries within a one-mile radius of Circle Park and 63 robberies, according to Las Vegas police statistics."

However, the statistics within a quarter-mile radius would more accurately describe the area of Huntridge Circle Park. In which case, there has been 4 burglaries and 1 robbery.

The one mile radius includes over 2000 incidents compared to the quarter mile radius of 118 incidents.

Even within the quarter-mile radius, much of the crime is on E. Charleston between 11th Street and Maryland Pkwy. And, many of the crimes are against homeless individuals and not committed by the homeless.

In addition, the 118 incidents include 17 traffic accidents, 12 family disturbances, and 5 recovered motor vehicles.

Yesterday while I was at the park, a gentleman who described himself as a neighbor of Circle Park informed me that the neighbors of Circle Park are getting ready to "take matters into their own hands" regarding the homeless problem. They want the homeless out of the Circle Park. He told me that there is going to be violence. I can see it now, "Neighbors take up arms against the Poor."

What part don't "you" understand? Non-violent homeless or poor people have as much right as non-violent, non-homeless people to use public parks for talking, eating, or napping. This includes Huntridge Circle Park. Anyone committing a crime, ie, drug use, public urination or defecation, violence against another human being, prostitution, etc. should be arrested.

We have an epidemic across the country of hate crimes and violence and intolerance against those living on the streets. Because of ignorance and stereotyping, some people are scared of anyone who looks different from them.

We, in the homeless community intend to participate in crime prevention, and to continue to do the best we can with what we have to take care of one another. We invite the City, County, State, and Community to work with us.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I certainly hope that with the closure of the park that cooler heads will prevail. The answear does not in a violent reaction but speaking calmly and voicing your concerns.

To the person who states the neighborhood is going to take matters in their own hands. Let me remind you of one principle that I personally hold dear. That is the right to armed self-defense. I maybe poor and homeless but do not think for one minuet you are going to committ a violent act against me or mine with any consequences.

Anonymous said...

I think there are probably as many crimes committed in an office tower (economic crimes, fraud, extortion, sexual assult etc) a ritzy neighbourhood (a husban raping his wife, mollesting the kids, internet crimes, drug abuse, driving while impared) lets face it: since the wealthy can afford a lawyer, they simply throw money at the legal issues and the problems go away. There is no proof that poor people commit any more or any less crimes than rich people.

Anonymous said...

to las vegas superbum: here is a principle that you should hold dear. SELF-SUFFICIENCY. put as much effort into feeding yourself, as you do expressing yourself.
to stealth: at least people committing crimes in office towers are addressing their own needs. if you took care of your own needs, maybe you could afford an attorney. stop complaining and be a contributing member of society.