Local authorities are starting a $15 million improvement project at Flamingo Wash near the University of Nevada Las Vegas. To clear the growing homeless encampments, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police and firefighters will begin asking people to leave the area on Tuesday morning. Crews will wear HAZMAT suits and masks during the process to address health and safety concerns, as mentioned by FOX5 Vegas.
Residents at a town hall meeting at the library on Flamingo Road expressed concern that displaced individuals from the Flamingo Wash camps might move into nearby neighborhoods. One resident said, "They’re all going to migrate. Four times I’ve been broken into," according to FOX5 Vegas. The camps have been cleared 49 times this year. The reconstruction project plans to remove large rocks and line the wash with concrete to discourage new encampments. Social services will be offered to those displaced, but Administrative Lt. Erik Perkett said, "If they don’t, then we will go along the lines of enforcement. The enforcement does start with the citation and moves along to an arrest."
The Regional Flood Control District plans to install expanded metal fencing around a project area. General Manager Andrew Trelease stated, "This is expanded metal fencing that we are going to put all around the project, and this fence is much more durable than a chain link fence," as reported by News3LV. The project is scheduled to begin on Monday and is expected to take one year to complete. Commissioner Segerblom said, "If you want services or want a place to stay, we will work with you to do that, but you just can't live out here, and that is unacceptable."
