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MEDIA CONTACT: Jace Radke | 702-229-2205 | 702-249-3514 | jradke@lasvegasnevada.gov
Mayor Shelley Berkley To Attend First Graduation Of New Community Court Program Focused On Helping Unhoused Individuals Get Off The Street
Specialty Court Is Part Of Las Vegas Municipal Court
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley and Las Vegas Municipal Court Chief Judge Kelly Giordani will attend ceremonies for the first eight graduates of the city’s new Community Court Thursday, Aug. 20, at 9 a.m. on the second floor of Municipal Court, located at 100 E. Clark Ave.
Community Court began earlier this year and focuses on addressing the underlying issues that lead to someone being unhoused to stop the revolving door of Municipal Court seeing the same defendants over and over again.
The causes of someone becoming unhoused can be myriad, and the new Community Court works to connect individuals with services while maintaining an intensive program with regular status checks on their journey toward become healthy, housed and hired.
The court is overseen by city of Las Vegas Hearing Commissioner Anthony Ruggiero and is designed as resource-driven initiative supporting individuals experiencing homelessness while addressing the underlying causes of low-level offenses. The program connects participants with services such as permanent housing, mental health and addiction support, employment assistance and other stabilizing resources to promote long-term self-sufficiency. Its mission is to reduce recidivism, increase stability and strengthen the community through compassion, accountability and meaningful support.
Media outlets are encouraged to arrive at the court by 8:45 a.m. to get through security and set up. Audio feeds for the media will be available from a mult-box. Electronic media are encouraged to arrive early to conduct audio checks; no microphones will be allowed on the podium. An area for media cameras will be provided.
Following the ceremonies, Mayor Berkley and some of the graduates will be available to media outlets for interviews.
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