LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — On some nights, simply three, 4, possibly 5 state police troopers are patrolling the complete Las Vegas valley, an space dwelling to 2.3 million individuals and a whole lot of hundreds of vacationers without delay, resulting in considerations about security amid the division’s ongoing staffing scarcity.
For many years, Nevada State Police have struggled to maintain up with pay from native police departments and retirement advantages, resulting in a lower in workers.
“I don’t want to say that the people upstairs, the powers that be are not aware,” Dan Gordon, president of the Nevada Police Union, mentioned. “I don’t think the priorities are in the right place.” The union represents about 1,200 state staff, together with state police troopers.
For Gordon, it’s a easy repair: Get extra troopers on the highway — stop individuals from dying on the highway.
In 2024, 412 individuals died on Nevada roads — some on the freeways and routes the place 218 troopers patrolled statewide, in accordance with the most recent information obtainable. The state finances requires 392 trooper positions, resulting in an almost 45% emptiness price. (KLAS)
“It’s getting ridiculous,” Gordon mentioned. “It’s an upward trend and it really shouldn’t be.”
412 deaths: ‘We simply do not have sufficient individuals’
In 2024, 412 individuals died on Nevada roads — some on the freeways and routes the place 218 troopers patrolled statewide, in accordance with the most recent information obtainable. The state finances requires 392 trooper positions, resulting in an almost 45% emptiness price.
The staffing scarcity comes as demise on Nevada’s roads continues to rise. In 2023, Nevada reported 1.4 deaths for each 100 million miles traveled versus the nationwide common of 1.26, in accordance with the division.
In 2022, the 8 Information Now Investigators uncovered related startling information the place only a few troopers patrolled the complete valley on sure nights. There have been extra troopers within the Las Vegas space then than there at the moment are. The statewide emptiness price that yr was barely increased at 50%.
The staffing scarcity comes as demise on Nevada’s roads continues to rise. In 2023, Nevada reported 1.4 deaths for each 100 million miles traveled versus the nationwide common of 1.26, in accordance with the division. (KLAS)
“We just don’t have the ability right now with our staffing levels to provide the best possible enforcement and keep our roads as safe as we possibly can,” Gordon mentioned. “It’s a numbers game, right? We just don’t have enough people.”
“What’s it like for them?” 8 Information Now Investigator David Charns requested Gordon in regards to the troopers and their workload.
“Frustration is probably an understatement,” Gordon mentioned. “There are days when it’s call to call to call. It’s incident to incident to incident. Especially during commuter hours. I mean it’s 24 hours a day, right?”
Staffing information the 8 Information Now Investigators obtained by way of a data request reveals there have been 51 troopers assigned in the complete valley as of final month. The determine doesn’t embody supervisors. In 2015, the quantity was 92.
On some nights, solely three, 4, possibly 5 state police troopers are patrolling the complete Las Vegas valley, an space dwelling to 2.3 million individuals and a whole lot of hundreds of vacationers without delay. (Adobe Inventory)
“A true accurate representation of the population now, those numbers should probably be 200,” Gordon mentioned.
“We should have 200 valley positions,” Charns replied.
“Correct,” Gordon mentioned.
“And we have 51,” Charns mentioned.
“Yeah,” Gordon mentioned.
Repeated warnings
The scarcity is resulting in lethal penalties. On Saturday, Jan. 18 round 11:15 p.m., a caller alerted state police to a bus blocking a lane on a ramp within the Interstate 11-215 Beltway interchange, data mentioned. At 1:37 a.m. — greater than two hours later, Edy Hernandez-Roldan died when he collided with the again of the bus.
Paperwork the 8 Information Now Investigators obtained reveal a trooper was lastly ready to reply to the disabled automobile across the similar time the deadly crash occurred — 144 minutes after that first name.
Division leaders have repeatedly warned lawmakers in Carson Metropolis — each underneath Democratic and Republican management, governorships and management — in regards to the security danger. The Nevada Legislature solely meets 120 days each two years.
“With fewer officers, we have fewer officers on the road at any time and they’re stretched further,” Sheri Brueggemann, the deputy director of the Nevada Division of Public Security, mentioned in 2019 — 4 legislative periods in the past.
On Saturday, Jan. 18 round 11:15 p.m., a caller alerted state police to a bus blocking a lane on a ramp within the Interstate 11-215 Beltway interchange, data mentioned. At 1:37 a.m. — greater than two hours later, Edy Hernandez-Roldan died when he collided with the again of the bus. (KLAS)
A presentation given to the Nevada Legislature in 2021 included these startling statements: “Most highways are not covered on graveyard,” “Highway patrol may get to the point where they must turn away certain calls for service,” and “Response time to calls for service will continue to increase.”
That was three legislative periods in the past. This was final time: “If we can’t start stopping the bleeding this year, we’re not sure we’ll be around by next year,” Brueggemann mentioned throughout a legislative listening to in 2023.
“Fewer troopers means slower response times, fewer impaired drivers stopped, faster speeds, deadlier crashes and more dangerous roads for everyone,” Lt. Col. Martin Mleczko mentioned throughout a February listening to this legislative session.
In 2023, to encourage extra candidates and fewer division separations, lawmakers handed a 23% pay enhance in an try to stage with different police businesses. That yr, the 8 Information Now Investigators reported a beginning state trooper made $21.15 per hour, in comparison with the $26.25 common for all Nevada police businesses — a 24% distinction.
Division leaders have repeatedly warned lawmakers in Carson Metropolis — each underneath Democratic and Republican management, governorships and management — in regards to the security danger. (KLAS)
For the primary time since 2017, extra individuals joined the division than separated in 2024, management mentioned, noting recruitment efforts over the previous yr have been profitable however that recruits tended to favor parole and probation over patrol.
“But unfortunately for that, a lot of that was playing catchup because we hadn’t received anything, we hadn’t kept up with the times in 20 years,” Gordon mentioned.
Lawmakers will as soon as once more crash into an impending pay disaster due to one other upcoming pay hole. Beginning in July, the amount of cash state police staff should put into their state retirement accounts will erase these positive aspects from two years in the past.
The 8.75% enhance will severely diminish trooper take-home pay, the union warned. The Public Workers’ Retirement System (PERS) units the charges.
Substations in Hawthorne, alongside U.S. 95; and Lovelock, close to Interstate 80, haven’t any positions stuffed, in accordance with information the 8 Information Now Investigators obtained. (KLAS)
Amid the pay hole, some rural substations are empty. The 8 Information Now Investigators first reported on this lack of staffing three years in the past.
Substations in Hawthorne, alongside U.S. 95; and Lovelock, close to Interstate 80, haven’t any positions stuffed, in accordance with information the 8 Information Now Investigators obtained.
There are 27 places of work the place troopers work throughout the state, information mentioned. A number of have excessive emptiness charges:
Alamo: 20%
Austin: 50% emptiness
Battle Mountain: 80% emptiness
Beatty: No emptiness
Carson Metropolis: 56% emptiness
Elko: 40% emptiness
Ely: 71% emptiness
Eureka: 50% emptiness
Fallon: 63% emptiness
Fernley: 50% emptiness
Hawthorne: 100% emptiness
Indian Springs: No emptiness
Las Vegas: 42% emptiness
Laughlin: 33% emptiness
Lovelock: 100% emptiness
Mesquite: No emptiness
Pahrump: 50% emptiness
Pioche: No emptiness
Primm: No emptiness
Reno: 28% emptiness
Tahoe: 75% emptiness
Tonopah: No emptiness
USA Parkway: 40% emptiness
Wells: 33% emptiness
Wendover: 75% emptiness
Winnemucca: 57%
Yerington: 67% emptiness
“Our resources just keep diminishing,” Gordon mentioned. “We keep losing people and the population keeps growing.”
The discount in workers led the division to cease in a single day protection on some nights within the Reno space, the union mentioned.
The long run
8 Information Now has repeatedly requested the division and Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo for on-camera interviews. The governor has rescheduled a number of occasions since an preliminary request final fall and his workplace didn’t reply to a repeated request relating to an interview.
The director of the general public security division has repeatedly declined interview requests from 8 Information Now.
“The Nevada Highway Patrol Division remains committed to protecting lives and ensuring the safety of everyone on Nevada’s roadways,” director George Togliatti mentioned in a press release. “Our troopers work around the clock to enforce laws and hold dangerous drivers accountable. Speeding and impaired driving remain two of the leading contributors to fatal crashes across the state, with devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Every choice behind the wheel matters — drive sober, slow down, and remember that lives depend on it.”
Two legislative committees heard from state police on Feb. 14 about their required finances. It was not instantly clear when the finances and the potential of addressing the staffing scarcity would subsequent come earlier than lawmakers.
8 Information Now Investigator David Charns will be reached at dcharns@8newsnow.com.
