Downtown Reno has always been a go-to spot for people on New Year's Eve. Which means it's expected to be a busy weekend for bars and events in that area. After speaking with Safe Embrace, they tell us that it's always good to have a safety plan like sharing your location with your friends and family and staying aware of your surroundings, especially in big crowds.
"Human trafficking is here in Reno and Sparks area and so sometimes sharing a location is key and with the New Years that could be a higher profile for a trafficker," said Krystal Copenhaver, outreach education specialist for Safe Embrace.
Copenhaver told us to never leave your drinks unattended and if you do then it's best to play it safe and ask for a new one.
If you feel unsafe you can order an angel shot from the bartender. This serves as a code word letting the bartender know you need help.
There are three types of angel shots depending on the type of help you need like calling you an Uber, walking you to your car, or calling the police. You can find a sticker of each shot in the back of the bathroom stalls.
Copenhaver advised that if you see something say something.
"Bystander intervention is key, so if you see something say something. Also notifying the bar attendants, management, security, I'm sure there's going to be a lot of security guards around," she said.
If you or a loved one feels you need help you can always call the Safe Embrace Domestic Violence Hotline available 24/7 at 775-322-3466.
Once again, it's important to share your location, stick with your friends, and stay aware of your surroundings.
