Reno · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Reno public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Axon Public Safety and Surveillance Contract
The City Council approved an 8-year, $21.7 million contract with Axon for police body-worn cameras, tasers, drones, and automated license plate readers, sparking intense debate over community privacy and public safety.
Wildfire Defense and Evacuation Preparedness
Homeowners report insurers telling them to remove trees for wildfire defensible space; the city has 2,400 acres of open space backing up to homes, making this a growing issue.
Hawk and Bug Fire Recovery
Multiple residents who lost homes in the Hawk and Bug fires demanded city leadership show up on the ground and provide direct assistance. The city manager announced a rental assistance program available to all Washoe County residents impacted by the fires.
Wildfire Evacuation and Emergency Preparedness
Residents and board members raised serious concerns about communication failures, evacuation route bottlenecks, and lack of emergency notifications during recent wildfires.
Reno Police Department Quarterly Operations and Staffing Briefing
RPD is holding five town halls citywide by police beat, with the first on February 12 at North Valleys High School. It's a chance for Ward 3 residents to raise public safety concerns directly with the department.
Fire Department Shared Leadership Model
Reno and Sparks partnered to share Fire Chief Dave Cochran, improving regional emergency response coordination while keeping departments independent.
Reno Police Department Interim Leadership & Oversight
The city approved a $2 million agreement with Washoe County to bring in interim leadership for the Reno Police Department following administrative leave of command staff. Community members also called for enhanced civilian oversight.
Domestic Violence Resource Center Expansion Update
The Domestic Violence Resource Center shared an update on its new 41,000-square-foot facility on Vassar Street, which is nearing its fundraising goal and will expand emergency shelter capacity from 25 to 100 beds.