CITY OF RENO NEWS RELEASE
The Reno Police Department, City of Reno Code Compliance, and the University of Nevada Reno Police Department are partnering together to effectively handle underage drinking at college parties.
The cooperative effort has personnel from the agencies identifying problem residences that have the potential for underage drinking and responding to calls for service involving a party to determine if underage drinking is taking place.
The joint approach provides for educational opportunities for property owners on the issue of underage drinking, avoids contradictions between agencies, and ensures all issues are addressed with the intent to provide for a safe environment for all college students and residents within the city. The initiative also assists in reducing calls for service to repeat residences and minimize straining the city’s resources.
During the first weekend in October 2011, the following resulted:
• 54 misdemeanor cites
• 4 alcohol related arrests (including 1 DUI)
• 1 traffic citation
• 2 detained for CPC
• 9 Notices of Violations (Social Host Liability – Reno Municipal Code 8.22.300) given to residences
The involved agencies will continue to partner for similar operations in the future.
The cooperative operation stems from the City of Reno’s Community Safety & Service Team (CSAST) concept which was developed from the work done by the Downtown Alcohol Advisory Committee. The CSAST was created to ensure departments within the city work collectively with business and property owners. The team typically consists of a representative of Reno Police and Fire Departments, City of Reno Code Enforcement, and other agencies when necessary. The occurrence of disruptive gatherings on private property where alcoholic beverages are served to attendees, including underage persons, is a threat to public health, safety, quiet enjoyment of residential property and general welfare, and is harmful to the underage persons themselves.
