WCSO NEWS RELEASE
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has completed the June “Joining Forces” traffic law enforcement campaign. The Sheriff’s Office joined the Nevada Highway Patrol, Reno Police Department and Sparks Police Department for this event aimed at increasing intersection safety.
From June 7 through June 21, extra units were on the road enforcing traffic laws such as running red lights, speeding, distracted driving and failure to yield to pedestrians. Law enforcement personnel also looked for drivers who talked and texted on their cellular phones.
Sheriff’s Office patrol staff assigned to this intersection safety and enforcement event initiated over 300 traffic stops. Although a driver may be stopped for one violation, during a patrolman’s investigation, several other violations may be observed. It’s possible that a driver may be issued citations for numerous violations. The total number of citations for this event was 423.
Of those stopped by the Sheriff’s Office, two drivers were arrested for DUI, four were arrested for felony or drug charges and four were arrested on fugitive charges.
Other citations issued by the Sheriff’s Office included:
- 99 speeding citations
- 38 cell phone/other distracted driving citations
- 21 citations for driver’s license related violations
- 26 motor vehicle registration citations
- 29 vehicle equipment citations
- 10 seat belt citations
- 4 child seat citations
- 28 citations for failure to show proof of insurance
- 32 citations for drivers failing to yield the right of way
- 30 citations for running a red light
Additional citations and written warnings totaled 96.
The additional units are paid through a grant received from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety “Joining Forces” program.
“Joining Forces” is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program that promotes statewide enforcement in the areas of: DUI, seat belt, distracted driving, speed and pedestrian safety. The goal of these enforcement campaigns is to increase public awareness about the dangers of making poor choices while driving.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office celebrated 150 years of proud service and community partnership in 2011. Sheriff Michael Haley is the 25th person elected to serve as the sheriff of Washoe County. His office continues to be the only full service public safety agency operating within northern Nevada and is responsible for operating the consolidated detention facility, regional crime lab, Northern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, court security, service of civil process, traditional street patrols and Regional Animal Services.
