On Thursday, the City of Reno held its monthly public safety media briefing, where it highlighted a recent case using the Reno Police Department's Crime Gun Intelligence Center.
RPD Chief Corey Solferino explains, "These investigations are often complex and time-consuming and require immense attention to detail. Their work helps remove dangerous illegal firearms from our community while holding violent offenders accountable. Our mission and our goal have always been to keep firearms out of the hands of prohibited people, and this allows us to do that.
He also explained how this resource helped the department in a recent case.
Following reports of a recent shooting, it was immediately mobilized to begin canvassing an area for surveillance footage and evidence left on the scene. The detective located video from multiple businesses that helped establish the movements of both the victim's vehicle and the suspect's vehicle after the shooting.
Solferino says because of this investigative work, detectives were able to gather leads, and says this case is a good example of how law enforcement can leverage technology to better enhance public safety.
During the meeting, they also covered street racing and sideshow enforcement efforts.
While on this topic, Solferino mentioned an accident that happened over a week ago due to three vehicles street racing.
"Illegal street racing and sideshows and roadway takeover events are harmful to our community despite how they're sensationalized on social media. We've seen that these activities are not harmless entertainment. They create dangerous conditions for participants, for spectators, and for innocent motorists, nearby residents, and our first responder community."
He adds, "This wasn't a minor traffic collision. This was a devastating example of how one reckless decision can change multiple lives forever, and while we didn’t lose a life in this instance, it's just by mere coincidence that we didn't. The speeds that they were racing at and the fact that these vehicles luckily were newer with advanced technology and had front and side resident airbags can undoubtedly save lives. If they were different vehicles in different times and different spaces, we would have multiple fatalities in this instance."
He says the witnesses to this crash left the scene when they could have provided aid to the crash, and it was disheartening.
They moved to the topic of illegal fireworks next, and how they still encourage everyone to have fun during the holiday weekend, but the chief said it's one of the most deadly times of year.
Solferino says, "When you look at it from a public safety standpoint, one of the deadliest days of the year is the Fourth of July, with impaired driving, and St. Patrick's Day, days that are often celebrated at the lakes or with the consumption of devices that impair our judgment or our ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, so it always remains a major threat, and the Reno Police Department will be out in full force to make sure people are celebrating responsibly."
Chief Dave Cochran, with the Reno Fire Department, adds to this, "If you want to enjoy fireworks, go to one of the shows I mentioned that are put on by professionals, and don't use illegal fireworks."
As a reminder, if you want to turn in fireworks to help keep the community safe, you can do so at any fire station.
