Washoe County’s Citizens Police Academy

The Reno, Sparks and Washoe County’s Citizens Police Academy registration deadline is this week, February 28.  Classes will begin on March 5 (Thursday) at 6:00 p.m at the Regional Public Safety Training Center.  Participants will learn how local law enforcement is trained and how that training translates in the operations of law enforcement in our community.  The Reno and Sparks Police Departments and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office will explain the mission and goals of their departments.  Information will be provided about repeat offenders, gang activity and second offender units.
 
Participants in the Citizens Police Academy will receive training in various aspects of law enforcement and view demonstrations.  In addition, there will be a firearms training session.  Classes for the Citizens Police Academy is free.  Class size is limited to 30 attendees.
 
Requirements to participate are:

    * All participants must be 18 years of age or older
    * Valid identification such as a driver’s license
    * Application and wavier must be completed
    * A minimum background check
 
Citizens Police Academy Contact Information:
City of Reno – Citizens Police Academy Phone: (775) 334-2362
City of Reno – Citizens Police Academy Webpage: http://www.cityofreno.com/Index.aspx?page=446
 
The City of Reno will also be conducting a Police Attitude and Opinion Phone Survey starting today.  Surveys will be conducted today (February 23rd) and tomorrow (February 24th) and Monday through Wednesday of next week (March 2-4) during the hours of 5 – 8 p.m.  Approximately 800 households will be randomly selected for the survey.  
The results of the Police Attitude and Opinion Phone Survey are used as a planning tool for Reno’s Police Department to improve the quality of life in our city.  2009 marks the 27th year that the Reno Police Department has conducted the survey.  The survey program has been featured in several publications.  The survey program has also been recognized by the John F. Kennedy School of Government (Harvard University) and the Police Executive Research forum as a national model program.
 
Charlene

Funds Approved to Help Stabilize Reno’s Real Estate Market

Last week, the Reno City Council approved $4.5 million in funding to help stabilize Reno’s real estate market.  Three weeks ago, I told you in my blog, Reno and Sparks To Buy Foreclosed Homes, that the City of Reno and Sparks would be purchasing homes in an attempt to stabilize home values.  The agreement reached between the Reno Housing Authority and the City Council is the next step.  The federal funds will be received through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and will be allocated to the Washoe County HOME Consortium.  The City of Reno will purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed homes in three neighborhoods.  The rehabilitated homes will then be sold or rented.  When any of the homes purchased through the program sell, those funds will be used to purchase more homes.  As you well know, the number of foreclosed homes greatly impacts home values.  The goal is to reduce the number of standing inventory (of foreclosed homes) in these hard hit neighborhoods.
 
In the near future, when the funds are received the City of Reno will hold a Town Hall meeting to help potential home buyers purchase the homes.  You can learn more about the program by contacting Terri Hendry by phone (775-326-6309) or email (hendryt@cityofreno.com).
 
Our prices are declining about 1.5% a month, with an average home sale in Reno in December at $240k and about $210k in Sparks.  Our inventory, however, is steady, with 50 homes or so month to month.  That tells me that more of the homes are fairly priced and most of the sellers are “motivated”.  We’ll have to wait and see what the January and February numbers are to see how things are looking for 2009.  There are some fabulous deals out there.  Of course we never know when the market turns until the prices start to rise.

Reno’s Off the Beaten Path Valentine’s Day

Reno offers many opportunities to make your Valentine’s Day special.  There are casino get-aways, spas, champagne dinners and entertainment.  However, if you are looking for something off the beaten path and different this year, I have a few suggestions.
 
Unique pet-themed Valentine cards are being offered by the Nevada Humane Society at 2825 Longley Lane.  The cards were designed and made by local scouts and no two are alike.  The card feature photos of pets which are available for adoption and are being offered at a special price of two for $5.00.  You can purchase them any day this week between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.  Saturday’s hours have been extended to 7:30 p.m.  For more information, call The Nevada Humane Society at 775-856-2000.
 
If you prefer a family oriented Valentine’s Day, then you may enjoy an afternoon at the family-styled Victorian Valentine’s Day Open House at the Historic Huffaker Schoolhouse, located in the Bartley Ranch Regional Park (6000 Barley Ranch Road).  The open house offers tours, stories and Valentine crafts.  This event is free and will be held between the hours of 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (February 14).  For more details, please call 775-828-6659.
 
If the special love in your life loves books and if you want to give a gift that truly keeps on giving, be sure to visit The Bookstore Warehouse at 125 Gentry Way.  The Friends of Washoe County are offering books and media items for sale.  The proceeds will be given to our local libraries.  The Bookstore Warehouse will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday between 10a.m. and 4 p.m.
 
“On Wings Of Love” will be performed by the Wing and A Prayer Dance Company this Thursday (February 12th) at 7:00 p.m at the McKinley Arts and Culture Center.  “On Wings Of Love” is the dance company’s annual fundraiser.  In addition to the performances, there will be an art auction and the dance of love (tango) lessons.  Refreshments, including champagne, will be served.  Tickets are a reasonable $25.00.  Contact Deb Smith at 775-323-0766 for all the details.

Whoever you spend your Valentine’s Day with and however or wherever you may spend it, I wish you love.

Washoe County: A Leader in Government

Washoe County has been recently been recognized for its excellence in county management.  The California Counties Facilities Services Association (CCFSA) has awarded Washoe County Facility Management Division its 2008 Award of Excellence.  The Excellence Award was granted to Washoe County for its exceptional dedication to facility management.  Only seven counties of all the participating counties in the association reached the high standard of excellence required to compete for the award.  A minimum score of 100 is required to compete for the award.  Washoe County received a score of 125.

 

Washoe County was also named by Arizona State University ’s Alliance for Innovation Association for its excellence in dealing with the current economic downturn.  The “white paper”, released by the Alliance for Innovation Association (which was presented to the International City and County Managers Association) named Washoe County as a model in best practices for dealing with the current economic conditions. 

 

Living in a county with such excellent standards is just one of the reasons that the City of Reno is able to offer such a high quality lifestyle to its residents. 

 

Related Articles: 

Reno Gazette-Journal : WASHOE COUNTY FACILITY MANAGEMENT DIVISION AWARDED 2008 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 

 

Read Alliance For Innovation Association national white paper (navigating the Fiscal Crisis: Tested Strategies for Local Leaders).