For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1800096 |
| Date Issued: | Sep 20, 2018 - 2:45pm |
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Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputies make 18 DUI arrests during the time frame of recent Joining Forces campaign |
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| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputies made 18 DUI arrests during the last week of August and the first two weeks of September. Eleven of those arrests were made by deputies working a Nevada Department of Public Safety Joining Forces DUI prevention campaign, seven by deputies on regular patrol.
"Eighteen DUI arrests during a 17 day period is concerning because it means that we are sharing the road with people who are still making bad choices," Washoe County Sheriff Chuck Allen said. "I'm thankful that our deputies were able to intervene before tragedy occurred as a result of someone's poor decision and remind everyone that they have a responsibility to never, ever drive under the influence."
Joining Forces is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program that promotes statewide enforcement in the areas of: DUI, distracted driving, seat belt, speed, and pedestrian safety. The goal of these enforcement campaigns is to save lives by increasing public awareness about the dangers of making poor choices while driving.
From August 25 through September 10, 2018, the Sheriff's Office joined the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department and Nevada Highway Patrol for a campaign aimed at driving under the influence as part of ongoing efforts to reduce DUIs and increase traffic safety.
Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputies assigned to this effort initiated a total of 170 traffic stops. Although a driver may be stopped for one violation, several other violations may be observed during the subsequent investigation making it possible that a driver may be issued citations for numerous violations.
The total number of arrests, citations and warnings by Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputies during this event is 215:
11 DUI arrests
10 outstanding fugitive arrests
2 felony drug arrests
2 reckless driving
35 speeding violations
9 failure to yield for a pedestrian
5 running a red light
3 cellphone use/distracted driving
4 failure to yield
13 motor vehicle registration violations
13 driver's license related violations
13 failure to show proof of insurance
7 vehicle equipment violations
9 all other citations
9 warnings for fatigued/drowsy driving
70 all other warnings
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office also participated in a Pedestrian Safety Joining Forces campaign from August 6 through August 24, 2018. Although there were no citations issued for pedestrian related violations during this event, more than half the citations that were issued were for speeding (48 out of a total of 92). In addition, six citations were issued for cellphone use. Other citations included driver's license, registration and equipment violations, as well as failure to show insurance.
The Sheriff's Office participation in these Joining Forces campaigns was made possible by grant funding received from the Nevada Department of Public Safety/Office of Traffic Safety.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.