Sheriff's Office

Summer tips to reduce vehicle burglaries at County parks and trailheads

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office intensifies our efforts to keep vehicles and valuables safe at County parks and trailheads during the summer.

Data from previous years shows a definite increase in vehicle burglaries at parks and trailheads during the busy summer months. In order to reduce those burglaries, the Sheriff's Office encourages you to Take ConTRoL!

We are a high recreation area. People love to head outdoor during the summer months, spending time on the river, on the trails or in our parks. Our goal is to create an environment where residents can enjoy that time without fear of becoming a victim of crime.

Sheriff investigators identified a total of 54 vehicle burglaries directly related to County parks and trailheads during the summers of 2011, 2012 and 2013. In order to reduce those numbers during the summer, the Sheriff's Office developed a strategy that incorporates increased patrols at those parks and trailheads along with public outreach.

Vehicle burglaries are crimes of opportunity. Our strategy is to work in partnership with the public to reduce those opportunities - and therefore reduce the crime.

In an effort to further increase public awareness, the Sheriff's Office worked with Silver State Barricade and Sign to create metal signs with the Take ConTRoL tips at many of the Washoe County parks and recreation areas. Sixty signs have already been installed at several designated parks and trailheads in cooperation with the County's Community Services Department/Regional Parks and Open Space. The key messages of Take ConTRoL are:

C - Clean it Out: remove valuables from your vehicle

T - Take your keys with you. Never leave your car running

R - Report suspicious activity or crimes to the proper authorities as soon as possible

L - Lock your doors every time. Sheriff's Office statistics show that 75 percent of this year's vehicle burglaries involved vehicles that were left unlocked

Anyone who see suspicous activity in any County park or trailhead is encouraged to contact the Washoe County Sheriff's Office immediately at (775) 785-WCSO (9276).