Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

PR #: 1500041
Date Issued: Apr 10, 2015 - 9:08am

Sheriff's Office results from March Joining Forces DUI Enforcement Campaign

CONTACT: Bob Harmon
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Office 775-785-6235
Cell 775-722-5517

Washoe County Sheriff's Office statistics from a Joining Forces DUI Enforcement campaign during the month of March continue to show a decrease in DUI arrests from the previous year.

During 2014, Sheriff's Office personnel participating in these multi-agency DUI enforcement efforts would arrest between six and ten drivers for Driving Under the Influence per campaign. However, during this latest campaign, Sheriff's Office personnel arrested four drivers for Driving Under the Influence. During a similar campaign in January, only two DUI arrests were made. This is consistent with statistics gathered by the Sheriff's Office Crime Analyst late last year showing a decrease in DUI arrests at the national level.

Although it is too early to determine if this decrease in arrests will continue, Sheriff's Office staff are hopeful that the decrease reflects a trend by motorists to choose alternatives to drinking and driving.

"Every person who chooses not to drink and drive is making an important choice to help keep the streets and highways safer for us all," Washoe County Sheriff Chuck Allen said.

From March 4 through March 23, 2015, the Sheriff's Office joined the Nevada Highway Patrol, Reno Police Department and Sparks Police Department in conducting special traffic safety patrols funded by Nevada's Joining Forces program. The following results are from the Washoe County Sheriff's Office portion of the campaign:

Sheriff's Office patrol staff assigned to this campaign initiated a total of 178 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 violations cited and warnings issued during this event was 230. Violations cited by the Sheriff's Office include:

4 DUI arrests
89 for speeding
3 for cell phone use or other distracted driving
15 for failure to show proof of insurance
14 driver's license related violations
9 motor vehicle registration violations
11 vehicle equipment violations
3 for running a red light
2 child seat violations
1 fugitive warrant arrest
1 drug arrest
8 for failing to yield the right of way
9 all other citations
61 warnings

Sheriff's Office participation in this Joining Forces DUI enforcement campaign was made possible by grant funding received from the Nevada Department of Public Safety/Office of Traffic Safety.

Joining Forces is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program that promotes statewide enforcement in the areas of: DUI, distracted driving, seat belt, and 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.


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.

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