LETTERS: Metro throws accident response tantrum

To the editor:

It plays out daily in many kindergarten classes across the valley: boy doesn’t get what he wants, boy throws tantrum. Unfortunately, the same behavior seems to occur at higher levels, as shown last week by Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie (“Police say minor accidents not their concern anymore,” Tuesday Review-Journal).

After multiple denials for his More Cops tax scheme, the sheriff is taking it out on his constituents. The Metropolitan Police Department will no longer investigate noninjury automobile accidents. I’m astounded that the reaction has not been stronger, from the public, county and city officials, and other stakeholders.

Does Metro really have autonomous authority to decide what services it will provide and those it will shun? If so, we have a serious problem that needs to be examined. I didn’t think this was the wild, wild west, where the sheriff calls all the shots.

Terminating run-of-the-mill accident investigations will have a significant, but difficult to quantify, effect on car insurance premiums. The total cost to drivers could easily exceed the impact of an implemented More Cops initiative. So the long-term result would virtually assure less money in our pockets, and a greater resentment toward police. Good luck seeking taxes for additional officers then.

Of course, like any tantrum, the impacts of this one were not carefully considered.

RICHARD P. CHRISTY

LAS VEGAS