Neighborhood outreach is theme of Carson City Sheriff's National Night Out

With neighborhood outreach as the theme, Carson City Sheriff's Office organizers say the National Night Out event at Mills Park on Tuesday will also highlight a number of new community wide initiatives.

The event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and brings thousands of Carson City residents to the park annually in a open house environment, providing partnerships between law enforcement and the community. In Carson City, this event represents the culmination of efforts made to address crime, drugs, and violence and is the largest event of its kind in the area.

The purpose of National Night Out is to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and strengthen police community partnerships. To this end Carson City Sheriff’s Office is addressing crime and safety by taking on several initiatives – all of which will be on hand during the event.

The first is known as the Forensic Assessment Services Triage Team which is a referral system developed by a group of professionals after studying the number of people arrested who had issues involving mental health, substance abuse or both.

Mayor Robert Crowell issued a Proclamation on August 1, 2013 that states, “the implementation of the Forensic Assessment Services Triage Team to address mental health and substance abuse issues by taking away the shame and stigma experienced by families, and encourage citizens to seek assistance.” Sheriff Ken Furlong said, “This is about addressing crime by going to the root of the problem.”

He explained that many people and families do not seek help because there is a stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse problems. “We have to get past the shame and embarrassment and get the people help. We are beginning to see positive results from this referral system that was developed by a group of concerned professionals who saw the need and are doing something about it.” F.A.S.T.T. was the real motivation behind the theme, “Neighborhood Outreach.”

Carson City Sheriff’s Office is also addressing crime by strengthening partnerships and citizen access to law enforcement services by opening a sub-station for the Nevada Highway Patrol. Traffic safety efforts are also being made through the declaration Sheriff Furlong made with the “Zero Fatalities/Zero Excuses” initiative for Highway 50.

Partners who will be on hand to meet the public include military recruiters, the Nevada Highway Patrol, Adult Probation and Parole, BLM, NDF, the Carson City Fire Dept., the Courts, Patrol Traffic Enforcement, D.A.R.E., and Partnership Carson City. Citizens can learn tips to reduce crime and increase their personal safety. There will be games, hands-on activities, equipment demonstrations, music, fun, food, music, fundraisers, and more –for free.

Carson City Sheriff’s Office has earned national recognition for the events for the past eleven years – including being ranked 6th in the nation in their population category for Outstanding Citizen Participation. “Citizens are the real heart of this success.” said Undersheriff Steve Albertsen, “We see the number of sponsors increase and more people attend every year. It just keeps growing and getting better every year.”

The community sponsors could very well be a story in itself – they also keep increasing. “Businesses are calling us to see how they can help – it is truly an amazing blessing,” said Deputy Lisa Davis. Carson City supporters for National Night Out include Target, Grocery Outlet, Carson City Downtown Business Assn., Northern Nevada Coin, Kemp’s Fun Jumpers, American Family Insurance, Carson Now, Valley Towing, Lakeside Properties, Dave’s Supplies, Dan Kimm Rock It Productions, Cal Neva Towing, Elks Lodge #2177, Benson’s Feed, East to West Embroidery, Liz’s Biz, Bartosz Construction, Casino Fandango, Carson City Plaza, Empire Ranch Golf Course, Carson Station Hotel and Casino, Harcourt, Economy Speed Press and Jamba Juice.

National Night Out is a sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (N.A.T.W.). The National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said, “This is a night for America to stand together to promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation.” This is the 30th year celebration for National Night Out, and the 11th for Carson City.

It is our hope that everyone will come out to Mills Park on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 and help us celebrate and take this event to another new level of citizen participation. For more information please call Lisa Davis at (775) 283-7809.