Residents come out to talk with cops

By Jennifer Denevan, The Laughlin Times
Original article HERE

The Coffee with a Cop event saw several members of the community attend and ask questions and have some one-on-one conversations with members of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Laughlin Substation crew Nov. 15.

Lt. Harry Fagel, along with several police officers and detectives, were present to talk to residents about what they do on a regular basis and how they can of help. Fagel talked about what they can and can’t do and the area that they cover.

Fagel said the substation covers more than just Laughlin. They cover an area about 3,300 square miles and that includes Searchlight, Cal Nev Ari and Nelson. “That’s a huge area to cover,” Fagel continued.

He surprised many when he admitted to commuting on a daily basis. Fagel said he commutes because he does get called into meetings in Las Vegas but has work to do in Laughlin. He doesn’t mind though, he added, because it’s a nice drive between the two places.

“At least it’s not commuting in Los Angeles,” he said laughing.

He addressed concerns related to home owners’ associations, speed traps, why police officers are speeding along U.S. 95, what the decorations on his uniform are and if the substation responds to national events such as recent shootings. There were questions about having police officers drive through and patrol areas.

Fagel advised for those in homes that are part of associations, to go to that association first when dealing with rowdy neighbors. He said he’s limited in what he can do with that type of situation. The only way he can address a disturbing the peace situation is if he’s disturbing the peace of people that are more than 75 feet away. It can be difficult, he added.

Regarding national incidents, Fagel said the police officer who went to the church to stand guard did so of his own accord. The station is notified of national incidents that may impact the local community and so the substation responds accordingly. “These guys know their business,” he continued.

Fagel also encouraged residents to notify the substation of things happening in the community such as seeing a suspicious vehicle. Take down the plate number and call the substation, he said. He encouraged the same for other suspicious activity, questions or concerns.

Fagel told The Laughlin Nevada Times he called the event a success. It was fairly well attended and many of the community members were talking with his officers and to him that’s a good thing, he said.

He said the substation can’t get anything done without the support of the community so this event is another level of that partnership. “When they see something, we want them to say something,” he continued.

Whatever information is given, it won’t be ignored, Fagel said. The partnership between all of them is critical, he added.

Addressing violent crime continues to be his primary goal, he said. “My cops go home the same way they came out, my community goes home the same way they came out and the bad guys go to jail the same way they came out and everybody’s safe. That’s important,” he added.