Sun Valley fire, sheriff reports show rising calls; residents press deputies about gunfire, vandalism and traffic

Sun Valley — Fire and sheriff representatives reported operational figures and community concerns at the Southern Maloney Citizens Advisory Board meeting on Jan. 4, with Sun Valley Fire saying December workload increased and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office describing both declines in several property-crime categories and limits to local enforcement on major thoroughfares.

Sam Hicks, one of the duty battalion chiefs serving Sun Valley, provided the fire district's statistics and staffing updates. "For a total of 271 calls in December here in Sun Valley," Hicks said, listing December counts and a 2024 year total of 2,941 calls across fire and emergency medical services. He told the board the district was roughly 10% up year over year and said five new recruits are expected to come off the academy and join the line in March; he also said Chief Moore is retiring later in January.

The county sheriff's office delivered a month-by-month summary and answered residents' questions. Lieutenant Michael Bridal said November property‑crime reports showed declines compared with a three‑year monthly average: some categories had no incidents for that month. He credited a combination of visible patrols and neighborhood vigilance — including cameras and motion lights — for reducing opportunities for crime. "If I see a ring camera or some type of camera set up on someone's house for me as law enforcement, I take a sigh of relief," Bridal said.

Residents raised multiple safety issues. Several asked what to do about nighttime gunfire and shotguns being fired in residential areas. Bridal replied that callers should report the activity via dispatch so deputies can respond and try to pinpoint the origin; he explained that an isolated nighttime shot call can be difficult to locate and that charges typically start at misdemeanor levels unless a weapon is pointed at an occupied structure or other aggravating facts exist. "If you can tell us it came from this house, then we can obviously go to that house and investigate further," Bridal said. He described the department's process for repeat addresses: multiple calls in a short period elevate the location for additional outreach and involvement by mobile outreach teams.

Board members and residents also asked about vandalism at Gifford Park and whether cameras installed by the Sun Valley General Improvement District are being used by the sheriff’s office. Bridal said vandalism calls to the department are down and that park cameras have been helpful; he said the department will use camera footage when available, for example, in a proactive program called "real‑time policing."

Other community questions focused on stolen gas from vehicles, illegal dumping reports filed online, and house‑watch or drive‑by checks while residents are away. Bridal said to file online reports or call dispatch; some follow‑up requires a front‑desk review and may not carry the same priority as an in‑progress emergency. He advised residents that providing specific identifying details and repeated reports can trigger a higher‑priority response and that the sheriff's office's house‑watch form is available online.

Traffic safety on Sun Valley Boulevard drew sustained attention. Multiple residents said they see speeding and hazardous driving; Bridal explained that portions of Sun Valley Boulevard fall under Nevada Highway Patrol or other agencies' jurisdiction and that state grant programs can fund overtime enforcement for local agencies. He also said deputies have identified a DUI hotspot on the boulevard between First and Gifford and are directing patrols there.

Residents expressed frustration with enforcement limits and response times. Several participants — including CAB members who attend regularly — credited the CAB process itself for helping maintain reduced crime by improving communication with public safety officials.

Ending: Board members encouraged residents to continue filing specific reports to dispatch, to use the online house‑watch form for extended absences, and to bring repeat‑address concerns to CAB leadership so the sheriff's office staff can review the pattern.