NOTE: A previous version of this letter incorrectly stated that 100 mg. of fentanyl is a misdemeanor under Nevada law. This version has been revised to reflect that it this is not the case.
With vast land area and a diverse and growing population, ensuring public safety in Nevada has always been challenging. Unfortunately, politicians have made it even harder for law enforcement to keep us safe in recent years.
Fortunately, we now have a sheriff serving in the governor’s office. A career law enforcement professional with a long track record of fighting crime in Nevada’s largest county, Joe Lombardo is committed to keeping our communities safe through common sense policies that promote public safety. This starts by undoing many of the failed policies that have been enacted.
In 2019, AB 236 was signed into law, and the changes it made to our criminal justice system profoundly and negatively affected law and order in Nevada. The law made it a low level trafficking offense to possess up to 100 grams of fentanyl. Just two milligrams of fentanyl can be a potentially lethal dose, and one gram alone can kill between 300 and 500 people. It’s horrific to think what 100 grams could do.
Just months ago, in Douglas County, several deputies were exposed to fentanyl while on duty. While they, fortunately, had Narcan, law enforcement professionals continue to face risks throughout our state as they work to combat this deadly epidemic.
AB 236 also made the felony threshold for retail theft $1200, higher than even that of California. This means someone can walk into a CVS, steal well over $1,000 in merchandise, and escape felony charges. We can’t accept that as the new normal here in Nevada.
The changes made by AB 236 are an affront to public safety. But Governor Lombardo is working to fix the damage it has caused with his new Crime Reduction Act, a vital piece of legislation that will support law enforcement and crack down on criminals across Nevada.
This bill would make possession of any amount of fentanyl a felony, allowing zero tolerance for a drug that has crippled communities around Nevada and America. This contrasts with others seeking to restore the previous felony threshold of four grams. With the potential to kill 2,000 people, such a threshold is still far too high for Nevada.
The Crime Reduction Act also reduces the felony theft threshold by nearly half, allowing law enforcement to more effectively punish those who commit retail theft, a crime that has exploded in Nevada over recent years.
This bill will also crack down on crimes from elderly abuse, parole/probation violations, and domestic battery, allowing for stiffer penalties while making it easier for law enforcement to act when needed.
The Crime Reduction Act marks a much-needed departure from the current status quo. It takes vital steps to restore public safety, right the wrongs of AB 236, and make Nevada safer for families from all walks of life.
Governor Lombardo has shown that he is committed to restoring the rule of law in Nevada by putting law-abiding citizens before criminals. The passage of his bill would be a welcome step to reducing crime and upholding public safety throughout our state. We urge them to support this common-sense proposal.
Sheriff Richard Hickox - Churchill County
Sheriff Kevin McMahill - Clark County
Sheriff Dan Coverley - Douglas County
Sheriff Aitor Narvaiza - Elko County
Sheriff Nicholas Donero - Esmeralda County
Sheriff Jesse Watts - Eureka County
Sheriff Angel Cardenas - Humboldt County
Sheriff Ron Unger - Lander County
Sheriff Derek Foremaster - Lincoln County
Sheriff Brad Pope - Lyon County
Sheriff Bill Ferguson - Mineral County
Sheriff Joe McGill - Nye County
Sheriff Jerry Allen - Pershing County
Sheriff Mike Cullen - Storey County
Sheriff Darin Balaam - Washoe Count
Sheriff Scott Henriod - White Pine County
Sheriff Ken Furlong - Carson City