By ROB SCHELGEL
Publisher, Las Vegas Spectrum
Special to WhatsUp.Vegas
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and our elected Clark County Sherif have made lots of progress over the past 40 to 50 years, especially in the LGBTQ+ community. Kudos to them and here’s hoping they can make this same type of progress in other areas.
Our local police have made a priority to outreach into the LGBTQ+ population, even going so far as to hold job fairs at some of our events. Gone are the days when business establishments were raided, the owners extorted and a whole population was treated with disdain and discrimination. We appreciate that and respect the leadership at Metro which has implemented this change over the years.
When a LGBTQ+ public festival, celebration, march or parade is held, Metro is usually on hand to offer protection, security and yes, a warm welcome. That’s community policing. Gone are the days when the police were primarily on-site to antagonize or harass people, simply for identifying as LGBTQ+ in public. Thank you!
We suggest Sheriff McMahill advises his officers to use the same tactics at No Kings rallies and protest marches. These are not riots. There is no intentional property destruction. Those attending, generally believe in upholding laws, being peaceful but also expressing their rights to protest injustices, racism and authoritarianism. We hope these are causes that Sheriff McMahill supports and we insist that our First Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution be protected.
The sheriff needs to instruct his officers to take a different approach in policing these rallies and protest marches.
At the rallies we’ve observed, Metro officers were more confrontational than welcoming. Officers, using loudspeakers on their cars, attempted to drown out the protestors, who were limited to one, small public address system. Officers tried to look intimidating, often linking arms like human fence, lining Las Vegas Boulevard. Protestors were not threatening them or property, and were for the most part, almost festive.
Metro should welcome the marchers to the Strip and downtown. These are people who believe in the rule of law, and these are the types of people Metro should be encouraging. Neither Metro nor McMahill has to agree with the protests, or even side with them, but generally, anyone willing to take the time to do their civic duty and exercise their civil rights should be welcomed and encouraged by Metro.
Recently, it was revealed that Metro made over 100 arrests since No Kings protests started in June. Ninety of those were not prosecuted by the Las Vegas City Attorney’s office. We don’t know, but are willing to bet that most of the 10-plus cases that were prosecuted had little to do with the No Kings protest, i.e., they were likely people there to antagonize the No Kings protestors.
So, Kevin, let’s get on a first-name basis with these people who have actually chosen to uphold the law, including the First Amendment. Perhaps Metro should set up a recruiting booth at the next protest? At least, change the tone. Instead of having stern-faced officers looking like they’re out to do mayhem against the law-abiding citizens, tell them to smile and welcome their fellow citizens to both downtown Las Vegas and the Strip.
Let’s take a lesson out of history, in how Metro has learned to support, befriend and defend the LGBTQ+ community. It just might work wonders with the progressive community and with those who believe we live in a Constitutional democracy.
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the writer, Rob Schlegel, publisher of the Las Vegas Spectrum and founder of the progressive endorsement organization, Nevada Impact.
