Sheriff Pope’s Message of the Week on November 7, 2025

Lyon County NV

On Wednesday (November 5, 2025), I attended the Fernley Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon. A few individuals asked that I share crime statistics from Lyon County. Crime statistics are separated into numerous categories, based on several factors. I thought Larceny/Theft would be a great place to start, and I will release other crime statistics over the next few weeks.

In January 2023, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office restructured its personnel deployment, with a focus on increased staffing in Fernley and Dayton. The restructuring of the agency also re-created the Silver Springs patrol squad. The reason for the personnel shift was simple: put the Deputies where the crimes are being committed.

Patrol Deputies are proactively patrolling the community, conducting traffic stops, and making arrests. They are working harder than ever to ensure our community is a safer place to live. If you see them out and about, please thank them for their service.

One type of crime that was plaguing our communities was larcenies; the personal property of our community members was being stolen frequently. In 2022, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office reported 547 types of property theft from our communities. Year to date 2025, there have been 178 reported types of property theft in our communities year to date. (The graph provided details the decline from 2022-YTD 2025)

What has led to this decline in larceny cases:

Proactive policing can significantly reduce larceny (theft without force or threat) through prevention, deterrence, and community engagement.

1. Deterrence through visible presence:

– A visible police presence discourages offenders who prefer low-risk targets.

– Regular patrols, especially near retail areas, parking lots, and neighborhoods, make it clear that law enforcement is monitoring activity.

– Increased traffic enforcement enhances law enforcement visibility and serves as a deterrent, causing criminals to think twice about targeting an area due to the heightened risk of being stopped.

2. Early Intervention:

– Officers engaged in proactive policing identify suspicious behavior before crimes occur.

– Stopping or questioning potential offenders early often prevents the opportunity for larceny.

3. Targeted Problem-Solving:

– Data-driven approaches allow departments to staff areas appropriately.

– By analyzing trends, police can adjust patrol patterns or partner with local businesses to increase security in problem areas.

4. Building Community Partnerships:

– Proactive policing emphasizes partnerships with citizens and businesses, encouraging them to report suspicious activity promptly.

– When the public trusts and cooperates with law enforcement, officers gain valuable tips that prevent thefts before they occur.

5. Increased Awareness and Education:

– Numerous community presentations and social media presentations have been given on how to prevent/reduce fraud, identity theft, and property theft.

6. Rapid Response:

– Being proactive improves information sharing within the department and with surrounding jurisdictions, allowing for quicker identification of theft patterns and organized theft rings.

– Quicker response times mean catching the individuals responsible for committing crimes in our community.

7. Reduction in Fear of Crime:

– When citizens see proactive measures and communication from law enforcement, public confidence increases.

8. Narcotics arrests:

– Narcotics-related arrests are up throughout the County. It is common for users of illegal narcotics to steal and sell other people’s property to supply their habit.

Stopping crimes from being committed is impossible; however, crime can be suppressed. Suppressing crime does not occur overnight, nor in one year. I know that the sworn and non-sworn staff of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office continue to work hard and are dedicated to public safety. They will continue to work diligently to further improve these numbers.