North Las Vegas Mayor Concerned Over CCSD’s New Rule for Police Coverage at Sporting Events

North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown has expressed concern over the Clark County School District’s new rules requiring organizations to pay for police officers to patrol at sporting events played on CCSD property. The city of North Las Vegas says the new rule is hurting the community it serves by placing a financial burden on private sports leagues.

Under the new rule, private sports leagues are required to pay for at least two CCSD Police officers, costing nearly $60 per hour per officer, for every game held on school property. This cost is in addition to fees already charged for school custodians and field rentals. The requirement for police presence only applies to games, not practices, and is specific to sports events, not other activities like Scouting or church events that also use school facilities.

The change in fees was first reported by The Sun, prompting Mayor Goynes-Brown to voice her concerns. She believes that the burden of paying for police coverage should not fall on families, especially those in disadvantaged neighborhoods who rely on youth sports for recreation.

The district justified the new rule by citing safety and maintenance concerns following disruptive incidents at sporting events held on school property. However, stakeholders like Ben Joffe, director of operations for National Youth Sports Nevada, argue that the increased costs could make youth sports inaccessible to many families. Joffe estimates that the police fees could add $40 to $50 to registration fees, potentially pricing out families who rely on affordable sports programs for their children.

The impact of the new rule extends beyond football, affecting a variety of sports offered by National Youth Sports Nevada. The organization may no longer be able to offer free programs like spring soccer if the police fees remain in place. Mayor Goynes-Brown, a retired CCSD teacher and assistant principal, emphasized the importance of providing positive activities for children after school to prevent them from getting into trouble.

Critics argue that as taxpayer-funded agencies, both the city and CCSD should work together to find a solution that does not place additional financial burdens on families. The debate over the new rule highlights the challenges faced by youth sports organizations in balancing safety and affordability for participants.