There is a new man at the helm of crime fighting in North Las Vegas. Joseph Forti has been named the new police chief at the North Las Vegas Police Department, and high on his list goals is community policing and keeping kids safe at school.

Many neighborhoods in North Las Vegas are living with crime. Robbery, assaults and stolen cars are a constant problem for police. But a new plan by the new chief may turn things around.

“The children that are out late at night, that are out after curfew, it is a police problem. Or the kids that are in the gangs, it’s a police problem. No, they are a community problem,” he said.

Forti’s idea to bring down crime is bring in the people.

“If you don’t engage the community and don’t get in to the community, you’re not going to be successful,” he said.

Forti has been with the North Las Vegas Police Department for almost 28 years, working as a street cop and even in narcotics. He says his experience has taught him community policing really is key.

(more…)

A sexual assault suspect has been caught and now police are looking for potential victims.

Twenty-six-year-old Edward Adams has been arrested and charged with first degree kidnapping, sexual assault of a victim under 14 and battery and lewdness.

Police are not saying why they began investigating Adams but they say he may have other victims. Adams lived on west Sahara and police say he frequented the Buffalo and Alta area.

Anyone with information about Edward Adams is asked to call Crimestoppers 385-5555. 

A Cheyenne High School student was arrested after a shooting at a Friday night basketball game.

According to police, the student attempted to shoot another student outside the gym. The student was not hit by the gunfire.

There were two school police officers at the game and they took the 16-year-old suspect into custody.

Las Vegas police are asking public help to find a man who they say grabbed a 15-year-old girl on her way to high school last week.

The girl got away from the man after police say he grabbed her from behind and rubbed her leg about 7 a.m. Thursday near Buffalo and Grand Teton drives. The girl ran to Arbor View High School for help.

The man is described as white, in his late 20s, about 180 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Police think he might have driven a small red vehicle.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The Henderson man accused of killing more than 500 trees has been sentenced.

Douglas Hoffman received 18 months to five years in prison. He also has to pay nearly $250,000 in fines.

Police say Hoffman cut down the trees so he could keep his view of the strip.

Metro is looking for a suspect who shot a man in the head Monday night at a bank ATM.

Police say the victim was using a Wells Fargo ATM near Sahara and Valley View around 10 p.m. when someone robbed and shot him.

The victim drove himself to his home and called police. His injuries were not life-threatening and he was treated and released from the hospital.