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Activist urges neighbors to carry arms(Las Vegas)

Josey1Josey1 Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
edited August 2002 in General Discussion
Activist urges neighbors to carry arms

Meadows Village resident fed up with crime
By Mary Manning

LAS VEGAS SUN

Chris Christoff is so upset about rising crime in his neighborhood he is distributing thousands of leaflets in the next two weeks urging residents of the troubled area west of the Stratosphere to arm themselves.

But arming residents isn't the only solution for the area also known as Naked City, Christoff said.

As both a property owner and a resident since 1987 of the Meadows Village near the Stratosphere, the former Marine sergeant said he believes that video surveillance cameras would also lower crime rates.

"We've got to clean this crime up," the 67-year-old Christoff said Sunday. "It's been proven in other countries with surveillance cameras that there is a lower crime rate."

Christoff, a community activist who in the past has targeted the clutter of political signs, said he is installing floodlights on two condominiums he owns in the neighborhood bounded by Sahara Avenue, Cincinnati Avenue and Tam Drive.

Although city officials resurrected a task force earlier this month, it hasn't done much more than clean up run-down apartments, Christoff said.

The city's task force was created in 1995 to address concerns of Meadows Village residents about quality of life issues. The area got increased Metro Police patrols that quashed crack houses and punished landlords. Over time the task force was dissolved.

Rather than wait for complaints about code violations, city officials promised to spend this summer working on the area.

Crime at Meadows Village has been a continuing challenge.

In the mid '90s a Metro bike squad had been assigned to the area. A Metro officer was assigned daily to the area. Metro recorded 12 percent fewer calls this May, down from 201 a year ago to 175 calls this year.

Metro Police Lt. Richard Collins said the Meadows Village area has been an ongoing problem for law enforcement for the last 10 years.

As downtown Las Vegas has developed, city officials and Metro have refocused their efforts on Fremont Street, as entertainment, bars and restaurants have opened.

Former Mayor Ron Lurie said Councilman Michael McDonald is aware of the problem for Meadows Village and has improved Metro patrols of the neighborhood.

"There's a lot being done," Lurie said. "We've noticed a lot more Metro and bike patrol activities."

Lurie, an executive with Arizona Charlie's casino, said city officials and Metro understand how important safety is to residents and guests of the Stratosphere.

"There can always be more done," Lurie said.

However, having residents carry concealed weapons isn't a good idea, Lurie said. "That sounds like vigilante groups," he said.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2002/jul/29/513778867.html





"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878

Comments

  • 96harley96harley Member Posts: 3,992 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sounds reasonable enough to me.
  • beantolebeantole Member Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sounds like a good solution. "More guns means less crime."
    Professor John Lott
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes, and did you hear about the guy who was distributing free electric blue Kel-Tec P-32s to people for self protection? I believe they're planning to prosecute him for something-or-other.

    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
  • 96harley96harley Member Posts: 3,992 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Why could't I have been there for that free stuff?
  • spclarkspclark Member Posts: 408
    edited November -1
    quote:
    Yes, and did you hear about the guy who was distributing free electric blue Kel-Tec P-32s to people for self protection? I believe they're planning to prosecute him for something-or-other.


    If you haven't, please allow me to direct your attention to: http://www.concealcarry.org/ from the otherwise great State of Illinois, the only flaw in which is a despotic little toady of a Mayor (son of former Mayor of the same name of waaaayyyy too long a reign) Richie Daley, King of the Murder Capitol of these United States - otherwise known as Chicago - where even LEO's cannot own certain pistols other than their duty weapon, Alderman and Judges can carry concealed weapons (without Illinois' otherwise-required FOID card or other training) but citizens are deprived of their rights to own firearms. This organization's chairman began giving away - by lottery, to Chicago residents who asked for them & could prove that they really felt threatened - the Kel Tec's a couple of months ago. They've also publicized a lawsuit - brought by a repeatedly victimized citizen - which seeks to have Chicago's Home Rule firearms ban overturned on Constitutional grounds. They actively accept support and donations for this and other purposes, among which is the recognition that where law-abiding citizens are permitted to exercise their guaranteed right to self-protection, crime rates drop dramatically.
  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    spclark - Let's see now...while little Dickie Daley was growing up his daddy was mayor and the family had 24/7 police protection. Dickie goes to law school and then becomes a Cook County prosecutor. As an officer of the court, I believe he could be armed or demand armed protection if he felt threatened by any of the miscreants he was prosecuting. Then, little Dickie becomes Big Dick and mayor of the city - 24/7 police protection for him and his family. Were I Big Dick, I too would wonder why you, a peasant type, would want a GUN to protect yourself or your family. Big Dick doesn't need one and neither should you. Just call the local constabulary when trouble threatens, like those two poor souls who were dragged from their car two nights ago and beaten to death. First police car got there in only 3 minutes and 50 seconds. Light speed for them, I'm sure, but eternity itself when the mob is bashing your brains in.
  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    hehehe, aint that the truth...

    If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.

    The sound of a 12 gauge pump clears a house fatser than Rosie O eats a Big Mac !
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