Sheriff's office reports uptick in DUIs, expands patrols and staffing bids

An officer identified as Whitmore representing the Washoe County Sheriff's Office briefed the Spanish Springs CAB on a local increase in DUI incidents and wrong‑way drivers and urged residents to report suspected impaired drivers with license plate information and direction of travel.

“We're seeing an uptick in wrong way drivers. ... When you see those headlights and they look like they're on the wrong side of the road, there's nothing wrong with pulling over to the side and letting them go by. Call us, and we'll get our vehicles en route to intercept,” Whitmore said.

Whitmore described an initiative at Golden Eagle Park pairing the sheriff’s office with Bureau of Land Management rangers for targeted patrols during times when unlawful shooting and unsafe target shooting increase. He said the sheriff’s office produced a pamphlet about restricted shooting areas; the office also published a congestion map in its app showing safe and legal shooting areas.

On staffing, Whitmore said the office is preparing a new shift bid affecting about 73 patrol deputies across four 12‑hour shifts and is hiring new recruits rather than taking laterals. He reported many sergeants, lieutenants and captain candidates are testing for promotion in the near term and said promotions are expected to create hiring opportunities.

Ending: Whitmore said the department is tightening budgets while striving to maintain coverage, invited residents to use the sheriff's app and non‑emergency line to report concerns, and confirmed the office will continue targeted enforcement and education efforts at Golden Eagle Park.