SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
This morning a multi-agency operation and investigation led to simultaneous search warrants being served at multiple homes in the Neil Road area.
The agencies participating in the operation included the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Reno Police Department, the Sparks Police Department, the Regional Gang Unit, Regional Street Enforcement Team, REMSA’s Tactical Emergency Medical Support Team, the University of Nevada Reno Police Department, and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
Today’s operation is part of a long-term and continuing investigation by the DEA. Questions specific to the operation must be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“This case is representative of a larger problem we have in this neighborhood involving drugs and gangs,” advised Reno Police Lieutenant Scott Dugan. “Today’s operation will help begin in earnest a multi-agency and multi-faceted effort to take back the streets from the gangs who have created an environment of fear for the residents of this neighborhood.”
The Regional Gang Unit, its partnering agencies and the Reno Police Department’s Community Action Officers will continue to focus their efforts in working with area residents to improve the quality of life in this neighborhood.
“One of our main goals is to build relationships with the residents in this neighborhood so they feel comfortable working together to improve their neighborhood,” advised Dugan. “We want them to know their safety is a priority for us and this is not an isolated operation. We will continue to have a presence here and be proactive through targeted enforcement and problem solving solutions.”
The Regional Gang Unit focuses on known areas with high concentrations of gang members and gang activity, identifies and tracks the most active gang members responsible for the majority of gang activity and gang related crimes. The combined agency operations employ proactive enforcement methods in the areas recognized for gang membership and narcotics activities. The Reno Police Department’s Community Action Officer Program is a specialized police unit that works with neighborhoods to proactively problem solve long term neighborhood issues.
