Recent shootout puts Sunrise Trailhead under heightened scrutiny

There have been various issues at Sunrise Trailhead for several years, and entities involved with the park and the area surrounding it have been seeking solutions. Following a deadly shootout that sent three youths to the hospital and left another dead at the scene, efforts have kicked into high gear to shut down the vandalism and violence connected to late-night partying in the secluded park.

The problems in the area predate the park. Prior to its construction, which finished in 2000, the area had long been an illegal dumping ground. The practice still continues on the edges of the park. The trailhead is accessible by a single, 2-mile paved road and is out of sight of any houses, making it a popular spot for underage drinking, discharging of firearms and a slew of other illegal activities.

"We've had so many issues out there over the last year or two," said Chris Giunchigliani, Clark County commissioner for District E, which includes the problem area. "I've had three town hall meetings out in the Hollywood area in the last eight months, and every time, the issue of the wetlands, the loud noise, the partying and the shooting come up."

Other issues in the area include speeding and drag racing on Hollywood Boulevard and graffiti and vandalism at the trailhead, including setting the bathrooms on fire.

In mid-September, a meeting brought together people from the many entities involved in the area, including Metro's Southeast Area Command, the Clark County Park Police, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Land Management, Clark County Wetlands Park Staff and Clark County Parks and Recreation. The group is looking at both short- and long-term solutions. The first step was a 30-day intensive presence initiative between Metro and park police.

"I've been getting reports from Metro," said Elizabeth Bickmore, program administrator at the Clark County Wetlands Park, 7050 Wetlands Park Lane. "We know there are large parties out there, and when the police come, everyone tries to get out. Sometimes they find 20 cars out there. They find underage kids out after curfew; they find adults with warrants, alcohol, drugs, guns, you name it."

The police are also meeting with the principals of nearby schools and looking into ways to get the word out to the kids that the area is now under considerable scrutiny, and the chance of getting caught participating in illegal activity is greatly increased.

"We've got curfew laws," Giunchigliani said. "The parents need to be responsible. If your kids aren't home by 10 o'clock at night, you ought to know where the heck they are. If we can get the kids out of there, then we can focus on the adults that are causing trouble up there."

Metro spokesman Larry Hatfield said that when they find juveniles out after curfew, they contact their parents to come get them. They've done quite a bit of that during the initiative, he added.

Blocking off access to the road that leads to the park is currently not feasible. The paved public road leads to several off-highway vehicle roads through the area east of Frenchman Mountain and would involve multiple federal entities. Blocking off the park has proved to be ineffective.

"We've spent over $100,000 in clean up costs," Giunchigliani said. "We've put out fencing out there, but the kids are burning the wooden fence posts."

Hatfield said one of the longer-term solutions that are being looked into are more permanent fences, but that would involve funding and may take time.

The trailhead remains closed, despite several cleanup events by volunteers.

"We're working on a contract to get the bathrooms fixed," Bickmore said. "Once we get that fixed, and we get a handle on the stuff that goes on at night, we'll re-open it."

The various entities are still brainstorming long-term solutions to the problems and are exploring possibilities, including a placing a trail ride operation at the park and a campground with a campground host.

"We're throwing ideas out there and seeing what we think will be effective and what we can make work," Giunchigliani said. "Clearly, things need to change there."

— To reach East Valley View reporter F. Andrew Taylor, email ataylor@viewnews.com or call 702-380-4532.