A man is in jail accused of stabbing someone near the Nevada Cares Campus on Tuesday.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office says it responded to the Cares Campus Resource Center around 1 p.m.
Deputies say 33-year-old Jaivon Simmons threatened a Cares Campus staff member with a knife, then stabbed someone outside of the resource center.
The victim is at a local hospital recovering from serious injuries.
Washoe County says incidents like this one at the Cares Campus are rare, and they take security very seriously.
“We have our contracted security staff, as well as that security screening upon entrance to the campus to ensure that any weapons are confiscated at the entrance and that they're not brought on site,” says Sabrina Sweet, a Human Resources Coordinator for Washoe County.
Sweet adds the screening process is “kind of like when you go through the airport. So, it's like that big machine that you walk through and there's metal detected on all sides of you as you walk through."
Anyone entering any building on site must enter these screenings. There, you'll encounter some of the security guards at the Cares Campus. Sweet says they play a pivotal role in keeping the facility safe, 24-7.
“They're checking the perimeter of the campus to make sure everything is secure,” she says, “and they respond to emergency incidents or any significant, unlawful incidents that may occur, such as yesterday, and contact law enforcement when necessary."
Many areas within the Cares Campus are restricted access. You can only enter if you're an employee with a high enough level of access, or if you're accompanied by one.
All of these measures have been in place since the Cares Campus opened in 2021, or in the case of the Welcome Center, since its grand opening in 2024.
The county installed perimeter fencing around the whole campus in the spring of 2022.
Sweet says there is always the potential for danger on the streets outside of their control.
“We are living in a world that is never devoid of any danger,” she says, “and here at the campus, that well-being and safety and security is our top priority. And we really just want people to be able to kind of access food, shelter, some basic resources and potentially get into permanent housing."
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating Tuesday’s stabbing. 2 News Nevada will bring you more information as it becomes available.
Alin Beane went to the Cares Campus to learn more about the security measures they take.
