LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Las Vegas City Council denied a motion to halt an enforcement program that sends people to make sure businesses are complying with measures to contain the coronavirus.
The motion by Councilwoman Michele Fiore was defeated Wednesday on a 5-3 vote.
“We have sent out 65 snitches into businesses, to then call code enforcement on them to harass them,” Fiore said.
City officials say program workers have visited more than 8,300 businesses to ensure they are following public health guidelines.
The effort has led to 580 violations in its one month of existence, nearly all of which were corrected once the workers taught owners about the guidelines, the Las Vegas Sun reported.
Mayor Pro-Tempore Stavros Anthony and Councilwoman Victoria Seaman also supported the motion.
Officials did agree to reduce the number of employees dedicated to the program from 65 to 12, which they say is the result of more businesses complying with state regulations. The workers were assigned to the job from other city departments.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
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