An annual review compiled by the Carson City Sheriff’s Office shows crime in key categories decreasing in the capital city in 2024 compared to prior years.
“Overall, I’m very pleased with the cooperation we get from the community,” Sheriff Ken Furlong told the Appeal in a Jan. 6 interview following release of the data.
Reportable to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), CCSO found 2,480 total crime incidents in 2024.
“The number of incidents in 2024 represented a 9 percent decline from the 2,716 reported in 2023, and a 23 percent decline from the number of incidents in 2022,” the review stated. “Based on the NIBRS calculation methodology, the crime rate for Carson City in 2024 will likely be assessed at approximately 44.76 per 1,000 residents, as compared to the estimated rate in 2023 at 49.02 per 1,000 residents. Notably, national crime rates are assessed per 100,000 residents and may differ from this preliminary calculation.”
NIBRS “Group A” crimes are categorized by crimes against persons, crimes against property and crimes against society.
In 2024, crimes against persons in the capital city totaled 742, according to CCSO.
“This number represented an incident reduction of 13 percent as compared to the 2023 total of 848, and an incident reduction of 14 percent from the total reported in 2022,” the review stated. “During 2024, the department’s internal measures have calculated monthly violent crime indicators. Like other crime data, the violent crime indicators have trended downwards from approximately 20 per month in calendar year 2021 down to approximately 15 per month by the end of 2024.”
Simple assaults made up most crimes against persons, according to CCSO.
“Of the 742 offenses against persons, 480 of the incidents reported were categorized by officers as a misdemeanor level simple assault,” the review stated. “This measure has been generally consistent for the past three years. More egregious, aggravated assaults made up the second greatest number of crimes against persons, accounting for 110 or 15 percent of the total incidents reported.”
Last year also saw a decrease in crimes against property, which totaled 833.
“This represented an incident reduction of 26 percent as compared to the 2023 total of 1,128, and an incident reduction of 41 percent from the total reported in 2022,” the review stated. “The offense of simple larceny made up the greatest proportion of offenses against property, accounting for 39 percent of the total. Other major contributing offenses included vandalism and fraud, together accounting for 39 percent of the total.”
Carson City Sheriff’s Office
A summary of CCSO calls for service in 2024 including top call locations and top call types.
Crimes against society totaled 753 incidents in 2024, with 681 of those, or 90 percent, being drug-related incidents. The 2023 total in this category was 740.
The review noted, “while the entire department is responsible for targeting drug related incidents, the Special Enforcement Team is the primary unit of assignment that proactively seeks opportunities to mitigate crime by targeting those who are likely suspects, frequently drug addicted users.”
Furlong expanded on SET: “Violent crime is our key measure for our Special Enforcement. They are out there to prevent it. Obviously, they are targeting drugs as a key contributor, but even though we had two dramatic incidents this year — the two shootings — violent crimes have trended downward, and we want to see that continue.”
Efforts made by CCSO and the community can also affect drug overdose deaths and suicides, Furlong explained.
Overdose deaths fell 50 percent in 2024, totaling 14 compared to 29 in 2023. Suicides dropped from 23 in 2023 to 18 in 2024.
Furlong believed education on fentanyl might have contributed to the drop in overdoses. He also argued getting people sober, even if involving arrest, “may be saving lives.”
Of suicides, he said the CCSO MOST units, which pair social workers with peace officers, were “very, very busy.”
“They rank number four on our top 10 calls for service,” he said. “I think that our MOST teams have a piece in it; however, I received information from the MOST teams that in many cases where the suicides take place, they don’t have contact with these people. They go under the radar, and that’s a crack in the surface that our education platforms can increase on…There is somebody who can help, but we have to know that you need help to get it to you.”
Furlong stressed the goal for suicides and overdoes “can’t be anything other than zero.”
“But taken in context, you want to be able to show continuous improvement. I think that services are readily available in this community, but they’re not always reaching those persons that they are most necessary for,” he said.
A zero-fatality approach can also be applied to traffic deaths including vehicular and pedestrian crashes. Excluding roadways under state jurisdiction, CCSO investigated one fatality on city roads in 2024, versus six fatalities in 2023 and seven in 2022, the review stated.
The review shows 130 traffic accidents involving injuries in 2024, compared to 181 in 2023.
Furlong said education, training and enforcement are key to CCSO traffic patrols.
“Our goal cannot be anything other than zero, so when you get a ticket, thank the officer,” he said. “There are accidents, but if you’re not aware of the potential for these accidents, you drive differently.”
Addressing a summary for top calls in 2024, the annual review noted that “no criminal activity is highlighted in the given ‘24-hour Period’ reporting block.”
“This suggests well that a continued high quality of life in Carson City is shared,” the review said. “Residents, families, and businesses in Carson have a strong relationship for caring for one-another.
“As in years past, welfare checks remain at the top call for service performed by the sheriff’s deputies with 2,637 calls received. Unwanted persons and suspicious vehicles rounded out the top three reasons for a patrol response with a combined total of 2,262, and Mobile Outreach Safety Team (MOST) calls for service came in at the fourth position with 834 calls. This summary of call types strongly suggests a well engaged community with sincere care and concern for the wellbeing of others, a common character of Carson City.”