A lack of affordable living, rising unemployment rate, and lack of assistance for people with mental illness or substance abuse is currently causing over 5,000 homeless people to populate the streets of Las Vegas, Nevada. Despite this, the way that the government is handling it has become more controversial than the actual matter at hand.
The Las Vegas City Council has proposed an ordinance to make it illegal to sleep on public sidewalks or roads in certain parts of the city if there are beds available. Punishments include fining the homeless $1,000 or jailed for six months. “It’s already hard enough because there are not enough shelters,” Valachie Peeples, a 46-year-old Vegas homeless man said, “this is going to give you a fine you can’t pay, and then they’ll lock you up.” The drainage tunnels under the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip are home to the poverty-stricken. Now they live in fear that they will be criminalized for being unable to find shelter anywhere else.
Supporters of this ordinance claim that this will keep the homeless safe and get them to receive the resources they need. However, these people are mainly business owners who would profit from the increased foot traffic. On the Las Vegas strip, homeless people roam and loiter in one of the most metropolitan cities in the United States. Tourists and gamblers gather from all over the world to see the glittering facade the city puts on. Since it is one of the main selling points of America and draws lots of tourism, the homelessness epidemic would tarnish the city’s reputation.
The safety of Las Vegas residents is another concern that contributed to the ordinance’s proposal. Reports of harassment and mugging have become increasingly commonplace in the city. After countless attempts to ease the problem, it has become apparent just how hard it is to peacefully get rid of it.
During many riots, citizens have voiced their belief that the passing of the law will not help the homeless as they will have to contend with a criminal record, leaving them to unable to get back on their feet. Pins stating that “Poverty Is Not A Crime” were worn by protesters in front of Las Vegas City Hall. “This is crazy, the fact that people are gonna go to jail for being homeless, what have we come to?” says Alexandra Thomas, freshman.
The city’s influence makes it easy to believe that many more states will be discussing this law in the futures as well. Should the law pass in Florida, it could have severe consequences. Florida holds the 8th most unsheltered homeless people in America by state, roughly 31,000 as of 2018 according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Seeing how few people know of Las Vegas’ homelessness controversy is very peculiar. While the effects of the bill itself remain to be seen, its existence alone is historic. Whether or not the law is passed could determine whether other cities will follow suit in the future. After all, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas for six months or faces a $1000 fine.