P.O.P. Team Now In The 18B Arts District, Too

Problem-oriented policing, or the P.O.P team for short, is not a new method of policing, but it is relatively new to the deputy city marshals and it is brand new to the 18b Arts District in downtown Las Vegas. Earlier this year, officers Carla Espinoza and Janelle Mazza with the marshals started the P.O.P. team on the Fremont Street Experience. Now, their team has expanded to the 18b Arts District and they're adding new members to their ranks, including officer Chad Bryan.

The officers will be out patrolling Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each week. They'll begin their days sweeping the area by car and then patrolling the neighborhood by foot. Operating on foot allows them to engage with the community directly, offering a visible and approachable presence.

One of the main goals of the team is to build relationships with the businesses in the community. They want business owners and employees to come to them if they need help or have anything to report. They also are providing the business owners with resource cards that they can hand out to the unhoused community, if they so choose. These cards have phone numbers and addresses of resources, such as shelters and counselling.

While on patrol, the team runs into the same people day in and day out, so not only does P.O.P. build relationships with business owners, but they also work to build relationships with the unhoused community to build trust with them to get them help to get off the street. As for the people who commit crimes in the area, the marshals also get familiar with their faces and encourage business owners to give them photos and videos of the people in the neighborhood causing problems.

The addition of this team is a significant step in the city's mission to address public safety. The P.O.P. method focuses on identifying and solving specific problems affecting a community, rather than responding to incidents as they occur. This proactive strategy is crucial for fostering a safer environment, especially in areas like the Arts District that are rapidly developing and attracting more visitors and businesses.

This dynamic group of officers brings a fresh approach to policing that aims to strengthen community bonds and ensure a safer environment for all, making downtown Las Vegas a better place to live, work and play. Their commitment to problem-solving, relationship-building, and proactive engagement is set to make a lasting impact.