Business owners along Boulder Highway in Las Vegas are facing challenges due to a growing homeless encampment in nearby vacant lots. The lots, located near the intersection of Boulder Highway and Russell Road, are privately owned according to Clark County’s mapping website. Owners like Evelyn Guin of FlowerEve Gift and Home are reporting issues with homeless individuals harassing customers, begging for money, and stealing from shops.
Guin and her husband have owned their business for seven years, but have seen a decline in business due to the encampment. She mentions that they have tried to shut down their business multiple times because of the situation, with many customers afraid to come to the area. Across Boulder Highway, Duck Creek RV Park’s Maintenance and Security Manager, Gerald, also acknowledges the growing camp and the challenges it presents.
Metro’s Homeless Outreach Team has offered resources to the encampment multiple times, but many have declined. When resources are declined, officers work with Clark County Code Enforcement and property owners to clear the area. Officer Baron Bybee emphasizes the importance of giving individuals appropriate time and attention when conducting cleanups and offering resources to the homeless.
In order to address the ongoing issues, business owners are encouraged to contact either the Southeast Area Command or Metro’s Homeless Outreach Team directly. Efforts to reach out to the owners of the vacant lots for their plans regarding the area’s future have not been successful. As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that collaboration between law enforcement, property owners, and community members will be crucial in finding a sustainable solution to the challenges posed by the homeless encampment.