Sheriff’s Night Out gathers the community

Fascinated by the sights and sounds of the 20th annual Sheriff’s Night Out at Mills Park on Tuesday, 5-year-old James King followed the co-pilot who had landed a Chinook helicopter on the grass. He showed Nevada Army National Guard 1st Lt. Hannah Fleming his lightsaber and described a helicopter crash he’d once seen.

“A toy helicopter,” James clarified.

In contrast, the CH-47F helicopter Fleming had co-piloted was no toy. It was one of several vehicles and informational booths set up to provide the public personal interaction not only with equipment, but with public safety employees from across the state. Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong previously told the Appeal the goal of the event is to build relationships with the community outside of emergency or crime events.

It's a goal that resonated with others Tuesday.

“I think the big key word is ‘community,’” said Fleming. “We serve our community. In the National Guard, that’s our whole mission set.”

Fleming said the Guard wants to build rapport with the community the same way police officers do.

“It’s being able to help our community however we can,” she said. “And if that’s giving information or if that’s being here to attract more people to an event so they can get more information, then however we can help.”

Managing another area of the grass were Carson City Sheriff Office Cadets Angelina Martinez, 15, and Roy Adair, 18.

“We get to be able to be involved with everybody, see new faces, explain what we do, and it just brings the community together,” said Martinez, who is starting her sophomore year at Carson High.

Carson Sheriff’s Deputy Jim LaChew with cadets Roy Adair (holding a plastic-BB rifle used for training) and Angelina Martinez at Mills Park on Tuesday. (Scott Neuffer photo) 

Martinez wants to be a homicide investigator when she’s older. She explained how the cadet program gave her confidence.

“I know being in the program opened me up a lot,” she said. “I’m a shy person still, but it made me less shy. I am able to socialize and speak to others.”

CCSO Deputy Jim LaChew is the chief adviser for the cadet program, which is open to those ages 14 to 20. He said he was a cadet when he was young.

“My philosophy for the program isn’t that I want to make them cops,” he said. “I just want them to be able to be good, productive citizens in the community.”

LaChew said while kids might want to rebel against authority, they also desire guidance.

“There are also the kids that want to be a part of something,” he said.

Robert Rikalo, CCSO volunteer coordinator and commander of the reserve deputies, works at the intersection of CCSO and the community, overseeing volunteers in the reserve units, search and rescue, the cadet program, the chaplain service, the Aero Squadron and more.

“Everybody has roles to play in keeping the Carson City area safe,” he said. “It (the event) allows the community to engage and interact and ask questions and be informed what all the law enforcement agencies in our area do.”

CCSO Reserve Deputy Robert Simola started volunteering in May and has been working events and assisting at the Carson City Jail. He said the experience has shown him the amount of work behind law enforcement.

“You don’t know this side until you’ve actually been involved,” he said. “That’s the challenge. Get involved.”

CCSO Chaplain Craig LaGier has been involved for more than a decade, counseling deputies, families and victims of crime. LaGier is also the founder and board president of Night Off The Streets, a local nonprofit that provides shelter for homeless individuals. LaGier said Sheriff’s Night Out builds understanding.

“To get the community to understand that we’re here to serve them and help them — not to be their nemesis, but to be their partners,” he said.

The Carson City Fire Department had several emergency vehicles on display as well. Around 5:30 p.m., CCFD Battalion Chief Chris Mason estimated the crowd on the grass between 150 and 200 people. Having been with the fire department for 20 years, he said Sheriff’s Night Out builds trust.

“I’ve caught probably all but five years of this,” he said.

Those interested in volunteering with CCSO can pick up an application at 911 E. Musser St. Those interested in the CCSO cadet program can email Cadets@carson.org.