For Immediate Release
Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam announces changes to deputy response, online reporting
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Office: 775-785-6235
Cell: 775-391-0407
Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam today announced that Patrol Deputies will respond in-person to all burglary crimes, including those which have already occurred, as part of a new policing model implemented at the Office. Current practice requires an in-person response to all in-progress burglary crimes.
“Throughout the past year our entire commissioned staff has been training on a proactive crime reduction policing model called Stratified Policing,” said Sheriff Darin Balaam. “We will transition to this policing model on April 5, 2021 with the express goal of reducing vehicle and residential burglary crimes by 15% within one year’s time.”
Instead of being directed to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office website, victims of vehicle, residential and commercial burglaries will need to call the non-emergency dispatch line at (775) 785-WCSO starting April fifth. For burglaries in-progress, residents should call 911.
“I don’t want our residents filling out reports online if they’ve been a victim of a vehicle, residential, or commercial burglary,” continued Sheriff Balaam. “If you have been a victim of this type of crime, I want our Patrol Deputies or a Sheriff’s Office Specialist to respond to the scene for every one of these types of calls. Deputies or a Specialist will gather information, evidence, and increase patrols in these neighborhoods.”
Research shows more than half of property crimes are not reported to law enforcement because victims “Don’t think anything will happen,” or “They won’t get their items back.” Another reason victims tend to not report past-tense burglaries is, oftentimes, banks or insurance companies replace the value of the loss.
“Partnership and communication between our community members and Washoe County Deputy Sheriffs is imperative to stop these types of crime from happening,” said Sheriff Balaam. “If an individual reports being a victim of one crime, it can provide us intelligence that helps the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office protect the whole of the community. Our deputies can identify patterns and suspects to prevent future, related crimes.”
Vehicle burglaries were identified as one of the top crimes in the region in the recent Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Community Survey. Results were published March 19, 2021.
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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