For Immediate Release

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam releases Community Survey results

Washoe County Sheriff's Office Community Survey Results

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam today released results from his first online Community Survey.

Between February 15 – March 8, 2021 more than 1,400 individuals responded to 35 questions such as “To what extent does the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office develop relationships with community members,” “Over the last 12 months, to what extent have your feelings of safety in your community increased, decreased, or stayed the same,” and “To what extent do you trust the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office?”

"Thank you to the more than 1,400 members of our community who took time to complete the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Community Survey - I am grateful," Sheriff Darin Balaam said. "While the overwhelming majority of residents had positive feedback – to those in our community who had constructive criticism for the Office – we heard you.

"Some respondents told us that ‘This is the first time I’ve seen the Sheriff’s Office ask for input.’ I promise those respondents and every citizen, this will not be the last time we ask for input. To those who asked for deputy response instead of filling out reports online, that is an issue I will look to change immediately.

"Moving forward, survey responses are helping me target where we can improve services to our community and I am excited to share the improvements we'll be making, based on your feedback, in the near future."

Respondents identified their top four greatest problems within the community as homelessness, traffic/residential speeding, vehicle burglaries, and driving under the influence (DUI) in that order.

A majority of the respondents, 54.78% (733 respondents), have not had contact with a Washoe County Sheriff’s Office deputy during the last 12 months. Most have lived in Northern Nevada longer than 21 years, 53.61% (676 respondents).

Of the 1,261 respondents who answered their race or ethnicity:

• 78.83% (994 respondents) identified as White
• 7.14% (90 respondents) identified as Hispanic or Latinx
• 3.01% (38 respondents) identified as Multiracial or Multiethnic
• 2.78% (35 respondents) identified as Another race or ethnicity
• 2.62% (33 respondents) identified as Asian
• 2.54% (32 respondents) identified as Native American or Alaska Native
• 2.06% (26 respondents) identified as Black or African American
• 0.71% (9 respondents) identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
• 0.32% (4 respondents) identified as Middle Eastern or North African.

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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