LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Inside Las Vegas police’s Downtown Command Center on Tuesday, it was all about making parents and neighbors know the warning signs of gang activity on their block.
“They can go back to their neighborhoods and houses and even look in their own families to see if trouble is brewing or if someone is looking into becoming a gang member,” said Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lt. William Matchko.
Lt. Matchko says when gang activity like spray painting or tagging isn’t addressed, it invites more crime.
“Another tagger might come to your neighborhood that night and say oh, it's okay that this tagging went on earlier, so I’m going to add to it,” says Matchko.
Officers sat down and spoke with residents one-on-one to ease any fears and make sure they knew resources are available at the command center and that police are here to help.
“It’s knowing your kids, it's knowing the kids in your neighborhood that you’re aware of that your kids hang out with,” Matchko said.
