Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

PR #: 2000067
Date Issued: Jun 02, 2020 - 4:34pm

Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputies make 19 DUI arrests during late spring Joining Forces campaign

CONTACT: Sarah Johns
911 Parr Blvd
Reno, NV. 89512
Office: 775-785-6235
Cell: 775-391-0407

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19 DUI suspects were taken off the streets by Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputies participating in a Nevada Department of Public Safety Joining Forces DUI event.

From May 1st through May 18, 2020, the Sheriff's Office joined the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, and Nevada Highway Patrol for a campaign focused at increasing traffic safety by reducing DUIs.

Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputies assigned to this effort initiated a total of 185 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, assists, and warnings by Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputies during this event was 221:

19 DUI arrests
1 DUI assist
19 Field Sobriety Tests conducted/driver passed
3 outstanding fugitive arrests
33 speeding violations
15 distracted driving
1 seat belt violation
3 running a red light
26 motor vehicle registration violations
13 driver's license related violations
24 vehicle equipment violations
1 child seat violation
4 no insurance violations
1 failure to yield
3 drowsy/fatigued driving violations
5 unrelated arrests
24 all other citations
26 warnings

In the two weeks prior to this Joining Forces campaign, deputies had noticed an uptick in DUI arrests. Comparing the past two months: Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested 27 people for driving under the influence in April. In May, that total increased to 38 DUI arrests.

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.

The Sheriff's Office participation in these Joining Forces campaigns is 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.

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