Reno police address downtown complaints

Page Last Updated: Monday July 26, 2010 5:24am PDT

RENO, Nev. (AP) -- Police are responding to complaints from casinos and residents who want to see Reno clean up its downtown.

Police officials met recently with hotel-casino security directors, business owners and residents angered by things like abandoned buildings, graffiti and panhandling. The police officials outlined the ways they are addressing the
complaints while dealing with citywide budget cuts. Acting Police Chief Steve Pitts just added 11 reserve officers
to bolster the ranks. The officers had been laid off the day after they graduated from the police academy.

The city also has almost fully restored downtown bike patrols, which diminished for a variety of reasons including military duty, pregnancy and injuries.

------
Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View News Archive »

COMMENTS

T. S.

July 26, 2010 8:45am PDT

Mark as Offensive

Personally, I'd like to see West Street Plaza addressed. There are often large aggressive groups of kids (12ish to 18+) loitering for hours on end. Additionally, members of my family have nearly been hit with skateboards on more than one occasion. The homeless that set up camp there generally attempt to be as inconspicuous as possible but we've encountered some aggressive panhandling on our way to the Artown events in the park.

DAVID S.

July 26, 2010 2:03pm PDT

Mark as Offensive

I sure wish that they could do something about the panhandlers. While I was still working, no one ever came up to me and asked me if I had a dollar that I could spare. I got off work everyday at 11:45 P.M.. Now that I am unemployed, I have so many people coming up to me, begging me for money, all hours of the day in downtown Reno.

JESSE C.

July 28, 2010 9:30am PDT

Mark as Offensive

What do police have to do with abandoned buildings exactly? Will officers fix them up? Tear them down? I don't see how certain complaints fall on the shoulders of police who don't have much to do with commercial & industrial properties. What do they expect the police to do? Sell commercial spots? Way to restore Bike patrols RPD! That should cut back pan handling somewhat and make the skaters and teenagers a bit more cordial.