Carson City Sheriff Kenny Furlong announced Tuesday his intention to run for a second term in office.
"I think that the community programs need to keep being the thrust of what this department is doing. They humanize the deputies who are working here and they humanize the people in the community. It's a win-win for everyone," he said.
Since being elected in 2002, Furlong, 51, noted he has reintroduced into the schools the cadet and DARE programs, increased the number of volunteers and reserve deputies within the department, and started Citizens Academies and a Volunteers In Police Services programs. In an effort to improve relations between the department and community, the department has hosted annual events, such as National Night Out and Cops-n-Kids.
Citing statistics from the Department of Justice's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Furlong said Carson City has seen a decrease in crime in the last three years.
"We are not responsible for crime in the community, crime happens and we respond," he said. "But a lot of that (decrease) is because we are pointing our fingers in the direction of where crime is and making an effort to head it off."
For instance, he said, throughout the 2005 Christmas season, no vehicles were reported burglarized in shopping-center parking lots.
"We put our reserve deputies in marked cars and had them drive through these parking lots. We've increased patrolling of trouble areas."
Furlong has also implemented a Meth Hotline to which people can call tips about suspected drug users, and each tip is followed up.
"I'm proud of the achievements we've made," he said. "I absolutely love this job. Every day I can't get enough of it."
Prior to becoming sheriff, Furlong served in the U.S. Air Force as an investigator. Upon his military retirement in 1998, he worked for the Division of Parole and Probation as a probation officer and a court services officer. When elected, Furlong was working in the major crime unit of the Nevada Division of Investigations.
The primary election for statewide and congressional offices is Aug. 15 and the general election is Nov. 7. He is the first candidate to announce for Carson City sheriff.
n Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.