For the last nine weeks, the Reno Police Department and its regional partners have been trying to address problems in the 4th Street Corridor in a different way than before.Â
Acting Chief of Police Corey Solferino says it's needed because they can't "arrest their way out of this problem." He also says instead of taking a "catch and release" approach, the department wants to address the root of the problem and provide services and support to the unhoused population.
"What happens if somebody gets arrested for loitering, for urinating in public or trespassing? They go through their bail hearing. They're out of custody within the next 12 to 24 hours," said Solferino. "We are not going to perpetually end this cycle by doing that, but we need to work with our courts. We need to work with our social workers. We need to work with our case management piece."
Solferino says the patrol units that respond to calls in the area are now expected to assess the situation and call for a case manager to help provide services and recommendations instead of handcuffing folks and throwing them in a cell for having a mental health crisis or struggles with addiction.
Patrol officer Jason Suarez says he's seeing changes happen already, and business owners he's worked with are saying things are getting better.
"It's slowly changing that. But we'll get there. But it's a partnership," said Suarez.
For details on funding and what some of that enforcement looks like, watch the video attached above.
