Officials Talk Openly About Surveillance Cameras
The Downtown Business Operator's Council in conjunction with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department addressed the issues of public safety concerning surveillance cameras, on Wednesday, July 25, at the Freemont Villas. Attending the meeting was Captain Will Minor of the Downtown Area Command on Bonanza, Deputy Chief Gary Schofield, along with Councilman Ricky Barlow. According to Captain Minor it will take a combined effort of the community and the police to make our community safer. Cameras are just one tool which can be used against prostitution, drug-dealing and crime. The majority of the community all agreed that the cameras make them feel much safer when they are walking the streets at night, and although this is a ninety-day trial period most residences feel this will help control the community's problems.

Lee Rowland, the staff attorney of ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada) had a concern over people rights on privacy but agreed that these problems do exist. Deputy Chief Gary Schofield, put it simply, "If you see a child drowning in a pool, wouldn't you do everything you could to help save that child?" That's exactly what Schofield was implying for the community to do all they can in building a partnership, to help the police maintain safety in our community. "It's a long-term situation and it boils down to our children," concluded Deputy Chief Schofield.

Captain Minor's biggest concern, when asked by a resident, was that the people would not be given a false sense of security. Cameras are not the total answer nor are bicycle patrols. It's a combination of community being the eyes and the ears for the police department and to report what they see in the community. Some residents feel, however, that could be dangerous. That will only apply if people don't act intelligently. First Tuesdays, at 7 p.m. at the Downtown Area Command, is one way a resident can share information on crime and drugs without giving their name.

Obviously, you would not pick up a phone in front of where the crime is being committed. You would do it safely out of harms way, where people would not see you. One resident suggested that they have a community watch. Councilman Ricky Barlow gave his pledge to turn the neighborhoods around ridden with crime and drugs. Councilman Barlow also realizes that he may take some heat for focusing on this area, but that it's all about the safety of our children and taking back our streets. There where other people in the community who had asked whether children would come first in this situation, Captain Minor put it very eloquently, "It takes a village to raise a child."

Oklahoma Orangeballs Are Welcomed By Commissioner Lawrence Weekly
Gregory Jiles, the coach of the Oklahoma Orangeball Basketball Team, arrived in Las Vegas with his team to play various high schools in the area and were greeted by Commissioner Lawrence Weekly last week. The group of young lads is part of a non-profit group that guides kids from broken homes to be productive in their endeavors. This is the first time that this group had flown on a plane or had been in Las Vegas. All the team, who are fifteen years old, got a chance to see the Red Rock Twelve Mile Scenic Route, also visited Bonnie Springs, The Western Town, and a tour of Mandalay Bay and its man-made beaches. But as one young lad put it, his favorite experience was the Steve Wyrick Magic Show. "The coolest magic was when Wyrick drove his motorcycle in a cage and disappeared and all of a sudden reappeared behind the audience on the motorcycle," stated the young basketball player.

Magician Steve Wyrick Greeted Oklahoma Orangeballs
Magician Steve Wyrick, who has headlined in Las Vegas for eleven years, hosted a group of young basketball players of the team Oklahoma Orangeballs at his new theater in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. The Orangeballs, who are under the direction of Gregory Jiles said, "Wyrick's show was the best magic show he has seen." Wyrick is a master magician storyteller. He makes the audience seem as if they are part of his living room, but more importantly he takes them on a journey. Perhaps the journey is best explained when he introduces and pays homage to his late grandmother making her appear out of magic, then creating an illusion which brings the audience back in time when he was a child. At this point, as the set is changed, Wyrick returns as he is today, with his toy jet, sitting it behind the curtain, and then making the toy jet into a real jet.

However, one must consider the beautiful dancers and the big illusions such as the Blades of Glory which are four stainless steel blades which are lowered while Wyrick tries to escape from being chained on a steel slab. This is one of the thrilling segments of the show, because the blades hit the metal, while Wyrick disappears and ends up in the audience eating popcorn. The most emotional part of the show for this reporter was Mr. Wyrick talking about our society and tribulations that we all go through while using a piece of yarn and cutting it up. He even refers to God in our trials, as he rolls the pieces of the yarn in his hand and stretches it out into one piece. So then Wyrick does something no other magician does, while telling a story as he does the magic, especially that of close-up magic, he uses cameras to videotape live on-screen for the audience to see his every movement.

Dust Control in Our County
Debbie Williams, the Public Information Officer for Air Quality and Environmental Management, said, "We are making great strides in providing a cleaner environment when it comes to construction companies building high-rises and housing tracks." Contractors are visited by compliance offices to make sure there are no dust problems in the residential communities where they are building. This is done by watering the dirt and making sure building materials are disposed of. The EPA (Environment Protection Agency) put into effect the Clean Air Act. In fact, if you want to learn more about dust regulations there are classes which are conducted on how to cut down on the dust. For more information, log on to www.accessclarkcounty.com.

No Open Alcohol Containers in Downtown Las Vegas
The City Ordinance on open alcoholic containers (LVMC 10.76.010), states, "It's unlawful for a person to drink or possess an open container of an alcohol beverage in or upon the premises, the parking lot, or within a thousand feet of the premises. You may ask what premise that means—your house, a club, or any place of business. This is one of the ways that the city is working on cleaning up some of the unnecessary problems occurring on our streets. Alcoholism is a major problem within our city, with traffic accidents and crime. Drink responsibly and have a designated driver when leaving your premises.

Until then keep your visions positive and positive people around you. Above all know that God is there for you.