With gun ownership and burglaries on rise, Las Vegas police hold safety talks

With a reported increase in residential robberies and in registered handguns, Las Vegas police will be addressing related safety issues with the public at 7 p.m. Tuesday at area command stations.

Police reach out to the public the first Tuesday of each month, and February’s discussion is called “How to Protect Your Home and Those You Love.”

Crime prevention specialists at each station will instruct their neighborhoods on ways to avoid firearm accidents and prevent home invasions and burglaries.

Police said residential robberies increased 14 percent, and the number of registered handgun owners in Clark County increased 7 percent last year.

The two statistics are not directly related, but both mean more potential danger inside and outside the home, police said.

Police will answer questions about how to secure your home and guns during the open house. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Residents also will get the chance to meet their local police officers.

Area command stations can be found by going to www.lvmpd.com.

Contact reporter Wesley Juhl at wjuhl@reviewjournal.com and (702) 383-0381. Follow him on Twitter @WesJuhl.