Las Vegas Constable plans to fight decision to abolish his office

CREATED Mar. 20, 2013

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  • The Las Vegas Constable's office is gearing up to battle for its very survival. Tuesday, the Clark County Commission voted to abolish the office altogether. Video by ktnv.com

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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The Las Vegas Constable's office is gearing up to battle for its very survival. Tuesday, the Clark County Commission voted to abolish the office altogether. The constable says he's not going down without a fight.

"We're putting all our faith in the judicial system," said Bonaventura.

The elected Las Vegas Constable is speaking out after the decision to get rid of his office came through a unanimous vote Tuesday from Clark County Commissioners.

"It's my opinion they had already decided how they were going to vote before they even walked into the meeting," said Bonaventura.

The tentative plan right now is for the sheriff to absorb much of the work the constables do, and privatize some of the other duties. A move he says will open the door to high costs and mistakes.

"Right now our office operates on zero cost to the taxpayers. We operate on the money that comes in for our services," said the constable.

The constable reminds people Metro runs on taxpayer dollars. Now he's hoping the second part of the NRS statute that allows commissioners to get rid of his office will void their decision.

"The second part of it which says if there is an incumbent, that that incumbent if he runs for reelection the office will stay," he said.

He calls the focus on his constable office unfair.

"There's eleven of them in Clark County, and then you discriminate against one, that's unconstitutional. You can't do that. You either have to abolish them all or abolish none," he argued.

The constable said they are taking their argument to the state attorney general, and feel optimistic she will see the things their way.