The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office issued over 300 citations during a two week joint traffic safety campaign with the Nevada Highway Patrol, Reno Police Department, and the Sparks Police Department.

The Sheriff’s Office deployed extra units from November 14th to November 27th to enforce traffic laws, specifically looking for persons not wearing a seat belt as part of the nationally known “Click it or Ticket” awareness and enforcement campaign.

During the two week period, Sheriff personnel initiated over two hundred traffic stops. Citations were issued for the following traffic violations: 121 for speed, 54 for cell phone use, 39 for failure to provide proof of insurance, 25 for registration violations, 8 for failure to use a seat belt, 2 for failure to use a required child seat, 2 for failing to stop at a red light, 2 for pedestrian violations, 9 miscellaneous citations and several warnings.

Law enforcement hopes that campaigns such as this will encourage motorists to wear their seatbelt and ensure passengers are properly constrained in addition to deterring motorists from distracted driving. The additional units required for these enforcement campaigns are paid for through a grant as part of “Joining Forces,” a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program that promotes statewide enforcement in the areas of: DUI, seat belt, distracted driving, speed and pedestrian safety.

“Our community must have a zero tolerance stance towards anyone who intentionally risks and jeopardizes the overall safety and security of the public,” Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Deputy Armando Avina said. “Campaign such as this help to remind drivers about the unnecessary dangers caused by distracted driving and the unwarranted risks to those who choose to not wear a seat belt.”

The Sheriff’s Office recently received an $89,000 grant from the State of Nevada, Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety to fund overtime for deputies to work 11 Joining Forces events through September 30, 2013.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office celebrated 150 years of proud service and community partnership in 2011. Sheriff Michael Haley is the 25th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County. His office continues to be the only full service public safety agency operating within northern Nevada and is responsible for operating the consolidated detention facility, regional crime lab, Northern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, court security, service of civil process, traditional street patrols and Regional Animal Services.
###