[LVAllen]

Originally Posted by NYtoVT

Agree. This is the way I have always understood it to be. Just recently, the County also confirmed this.

If the county owns them, is the county's responsibility. If the City owns them, it's the city's responsibly. It gets a little tricky when the property owner owns the sidewalks, but has granted an easement to the county to install / maintain the sidewalls.

[NYtoVT]

Here's the reason I ask this question. I live in a gated, walled community bordered by 4 public streets. There is a homeless guy with his requisite 8-10 shopping carts of crap living right across the street from the entrance to our community. His train of carts is in the street and he lives on the sidewalk. I am only a year in the community but long-time residents have told me they have written,called and emailed the County (we are in unincorporated Clark County) to have this guy removed. No joy. The cops come, roust him and he moves for a period of time to a less annoying spot but he always returns. He is well-behaved and doesn't harass, or panhandle. He's just an embarrassment and an eyesore.
Anyway, there is a section of the Clark County municipal code that prohibits vagrancy and is very specific:
Sec 12.32.020(k):

Lies or sleeps on any street, sidewalk or alley or sleeps or lodges in any building or structure, or automobile or other vehicle without owning the same or without permission of the owner or person entitled to possession of same, or sleeps in any vacant lot or public ground.

Hence my question of ownership of the sidewalks. Clark County owns the sidewalks and the streets and this guy is clearly violating the above section of the code. Since I'm relatively new in the community, I'm not sure if a legal remedy has been sought but before I proceed down this path, I thought I might make sure I'm on sound legal footing. Weather the County will do anything even though this is a clear violation of the statute remains to be seen.

[NLVgal]

Since the guy, by your own words, isn't bothering anyone and is just an "eyesore ", you should thank the Good Dude that you are not in that position, and stop thinking of fellow human beings as eyesores.

I'm not saying that having a homeless person in near proximity is something that is desirable. There is an organization called " Straight From the Streets" here in town that might be able to both help him, and get him off your block. A simple google search will produce the phone number.

Have a nice day.

[WVREDLEG]

Originally Posted by NYtoVT

He is well-behaved and doesn't harass, or panhandle. He's just an embarrassment and an eyesore.

Do you know his story? Hard times transform people, not just booze, drugs, and mental illness. I don't know enough to judge, but losing one's dignity and all one worked to achieve is probably more embarrassing and shameful for him than you.

Good advice from NLVgal: contact a shelter or charity for homelessness--the guy isn't hurting you or the sidewalk.

If you find an organization to work with the person, I would donate a few hundred dollars to them to cover their expenses.

[Cold Warrior]

losing one's dignity and all one worked to achieve is probably more embarrassing and shameful for him than you.

The term for this is 'psychological projection'. You are quite right that you don't know enough to judge.

[WVREDLEG]

Originally Posted by Cold Warrior

The term for this is 'psychological projection'. You are quite right that you don't know enough to judge.

Please let me clarify: compassion and charity are reasonable alternatives to punitive measures.

The insulting affirmation of what I already stated is unnecessary.

[NYtoVT]

@NLVGal: Let me re-phrase my statement. His train of shopping carts is an eyesore. @WVREDLEG: As heartless as it may seem, his backstory does not concern me. I'm trying to preserve a neighborhood and situations like this are a precursor to neighborhood blight. As I understand it, he has been approached by numerous organizations intent on helping him. He has refused all help.
It's easy to be critical when it doesn't affect you. Let's move him to your neighborhood then get back to me.

[WVREDLEG]

Originally Posted by NYtoVT

@WVREDLEG: As heartless as it may seem, his backstory does not concern me. I'm trying to preserve a neighborhood and situations like this are a precursor to neighborhood blight. As I understand it, he has been approached by numerous organizations intent on helping him. He has refused all help.
It's easy to be critical when it doesn't affect you. Let's move him to your neighborhood then get back to me.

Aww, come on!! It affects everyone, not just you.

We already deal with homelessness in my neighborhood, with varying degrees of effectiveness. Your situation is neither special or unique to YOU, so pump the brakes and take a deep breath. I don't want homeless people sleeping in our parks or on anyone's sidewalks, and I sure as hell don't support enabling addictions through handing over cash to a homeless person.

I don't dispute your freedom to pursue a legal/punitive remedy. Nothing in either of my earlier posts offer anything but friendly advice. You don't want the advice, so leave it at that.