The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded five grants totaling $171,750 from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The funding supports traffic enforcement, impaired driving prevention, school zone safety, youth education, and offender monitoring programs throughout Washoe County.
Four grants totaling $171,750 were awarded to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, including $47,250 awarded to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Alternative Sentencing Unit after the dissolution of the Washoe County Department of Alternative Sentencing earlier this year.
The five grants support the following initiatives:
- Joining Forces – $72,000: Supports the Sheriff’s Office’s participation in statewide traffic safety campaigns focused on impaired and distracted driving, speeding, seatbelt use, and pedestrian safety through coordinated enforcement and public education.
- DUI Enforcement – $20,000: Provides additional resources for impaired driving enforcement operations aimed at identifying impaired drivers, increasing DUI arrests, and reducing alcohol and drug-related crashes.
- School Zone Safety – $25,000: Supports increased traffic enforcement in school zones throughout the Washoe County School District, along with educational outreach to encourage safer driving behaviors and protect students.
- D.R.I.V.E. Program – $7,500: Supports the Driver Responsibility Includes Vehicle Education (D.R.I.V.E.) program, which provides traffic safety education to juveniles, emphasizing responsible driving decisions and the dangers of impaired and distracted driving.
- Sober 24 Program – $47,250: Supports the Sheriff’s Office Alternative Sentencing Unit by maintaining kiosks for breath alcohol testing through the 24/7 sobriety program and check-ins for individuals under probation supervision, helping promote compliance, and reduce repeat impaired driving offenses.
Together, these programs strengthen traffic safety efforts through enforcement, education, and prevention, with the shared goal of reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities on Nevada’s roadways.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office reminds motorists that roadway safety is a shared responsibility. Drivers are encouraged to remain alert, obey posted speed limits, avoid distractions, never drive impaired, and exercise additional caution in school zones.
Through continued collaboration with the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety and regional partners, Washoe County remains committed to making our roads safer for everyone.
