Kevin Clifford/Nevada Appeal Carson City Sheriff's Department Detective assigned to Special Enforcement Team Bill Abbott stands Friday in the old jail which will soon be demolished. Abbott has been working for the Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
The Carson City Sheriff's Department recently implemented a Special Enforcement Team, a unit that will concentrate primarily on proactive and special enforcement of crimes that plague Carson City. It is headed by Detective Bill Abbott, a 14-year veteran of the department.
Abbott began his career in 1991 as a reserve deputy, and in 1993 ,was hired as a full-time deputy position in the jail. He later transferred to patrol, and has since held special assignments on the bicycle patrol, investigations. His last assignment was with the Tri-NET Narcotic Task Force, where he served two years.
What is the Special Enforcement Team and who are its members?
The Special Enforcement Team is a group of officers who will proactively address criminal activity in Carson City. The team members are officers from the patrol division.
Where will SET direct its efforts?
The Special Enforcement Team will direct its efforts toward whatever criminal activity is affecting the residents of Carson City. Currently, the street-level methamphetamine problem is one of the primary concerns. The team also works on such things as warrant service, community relations, drug awareness education and support to other divisions within the Sheriff's Department.
What's SET's approach?
The approach of the Special Enforcement Team will be straightforward. Based on reports of criminal activity by both the patrol division and residents, the Special Enforcement Team will evaluate the activity and take proactive law enforcement action in an effort to eradicate the activity.
What advantages will SET have that patrol doesn't?
The main advantage to the Special Enforcement Team is that the unit is not responsible for traditional day-to-day calls for service. The team has the time to concentrate on specific cases.
Why do we need SET?
Carson City is in dire need of a unit to address the growing street-level methamphetamine problem. It is common knowledge that many crimes in Carson City, as well as other communities around the nation, are committed by persons involved in the use and trade of illegal narcotics. If we are able to address the source of the problem, we can reduce the associated peripheral crimes.
What's the difference between the SET and patrol and detectives division?
The main difference between SET and the patrol and detectives divisions is the ability to be proactive. SET is primarily a proactive unit and conducts operations that will motivate offenders to stop certain activities whereas patrol and detectives are traditionally responding to incidents that have already occurred.
Where can we contact SET?
Anyone wishing to contact SET for any reason can call me at 887-2020, ext. 1403. This number can be called if a person has information that they feel can be addressed by law enforcement. I can also help with questions regarding drug-awareness education, wanted persons or just about any other issue a resident has questions about. The Sheriff's Department has also implemented the METH Hotline should anyone want to leave an anonymous tip on drug activity or any other drug-related information. The number for the hotline is 887-2020, ext. METH (6384).
Will SET affect the number of patrol deputies on the street?
SET has one member assigned to the team full time and when patrol staffing allows, the team conducts operations in the community. Future plans are to add more full-time members to the team.