Drug Trends Awareness

Like many Native American Communities, especially in the suburbs throughout the United States, our community faces a growing battle against drugs. The police can't solve this problem alone. Success required joint community involvement. It is important that you know what an investigation requires and how you can help.

For our purposes of awareness. Let's have a clear understanding of what is illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. In Nevada, Illegal drugs are defined as narcotic controlled substances that have no medical use that affects a person's ability to control a motor vehicle. This also includes controlled substances that have medical use that are not prescribed to persons in possession. Drug paraphernalia in Nevada is any kind of equipment or materials intended for the manufacture, storage or ingestion of illegal drugs.

It's often hard to be certain that what you are seeing involves drugs, but some patterns may indicate drug activity. Here are some distinct patterns of Drug activity in your neighborhood:

· An unusually large amount of traffic comes to the house or apartment building — in cars, taxis, or walking — often at strange hours. Visitors may sometimes point on doors or shout to be let in. This traffic is usually quick, and the people stay only a short time. Sometimes they don't even go in at all; instead, someone comes out to meet them.

· Finding drugs or drug paraphernalia (syringes, pipes, baggies, etc.) in the area.

· Repeated, observable exchanges of items, especially where money is visible.

· Offers to sell you drugs, or conversations about drugs that you overhear.

· Noxious odors coming from around the houses or buildings, such as "musty" smells.

· Unusually large amounts of chemical wastes and stained coffee filters

· Houses or buildings where extreme security measures seem to have been taken.

· Houses or buildings where no owner or primary renter is apparent, and no home activities — yard work, painting, maintenance, etc. — seem to go on.

If you make contact with individuals suspected of using illegal drugs, there are indications and symptoms that will be obvious. Keep in mind that one symptom alone is not a likely indication. But a combination of two or more indicators that would determine the likelihood that a person is under the influence of an illegal drug. Here are some common indications of being under the influence or possession of Illegal:

• Marijuana (Now legal in possession with under one ounce of substance and not in control of a vehicle if under the influence)

  • Smell of Marijuana

  • Blood shot red watery eyes

  • Sluggish

  • Using visine

  • Possess cigarette rollers, lighter, and small plastic baggies with green leafy substances.

• Stimulants such as Methamphetamine or Amphetamine

  • Grinding teeth

  • Excitation

  • Sores all over the face

  • Dilated pupils

  • Rotten teeth

  • May possess small baggies with off-white thin powder, small baggie with white crystallized powder, burnt spoon, glass pipe, burnt cans with holes, burnt foil, and syringe.

• Hallucinogens such as Ecstacy or Acid (LSD)

  • Dazed appearance

  • Uncoordinated

  • Perspiring

  • Paranoia

  • Body tremors

  • Dilated pupils

  • May possess suspicious pills with various designs, or tiny rubbery transparent film with designs.

• Phenciclydine- PCP

  • Violent and bizarre behavior

  • Confused

  • Incomplete or repeatative speeches

  • Rigid muscles

  • Blank stare

  • Perspiring

  • May possess lighter, baggie with small white powder, burnt glass pipes, or burnt foil.

• Narcotic Analgesic such as Morphine and Heroine

  • Constricted pupils

  • Facial itching

  • Dry mouth

  • Droopy eyelids

  • Depressed reflexes

  • Puncture marks

  • May possess syringe with dark liquid, suspicious pills, burnt spoon, used cotton, or burnt glass pipes.

• Inhalants such as Glue, paint, or gasoline

  • Disoriented and Confused

  • Slurred speech

  • Possible residue on face, hands, and clothing

  • May possess bags with smell and residue of paint, Dust-off cans with broken lid,

How to Report Drug Activity

Even if you know that police already know about the activity, or that a neighbor will call. Don't assume one report is all that is needed. If the activity keeps on occurring, keep on reporting it. If the pattern changes, report that change. All neighbors affected by the drug activity are encouraged to report.

Drug Activity in Progress

Drug Activity — which police need to be aware of but do not need to respond to immediately — can be reported by calling one of the following numbers. You can express your concern ask for a police report to be filed.

* 911 for activity in progress.

* (775) 323-2677 for non-emergency and anonymous reports.

* (775) 785-8776 for any Police related questions

You can report activity anonymously, but it is more helpful if you will give your name and phone number in case other information is needed. Your name will be kept confidential if requested.

What the Police Would Like to Know

* How do you know there is drugs involved?

* Which types of drugs are involved? Did you seen any drug paraphernalia?

* How long has the activity gone on?

* Have you reported that activity before? If so, when?

* What is the exact address where the drug activity is occurring the closest intersection?

* What type of building is it (single family home, business, apartment)?

* Where on the property is the drug activity taking place (e.g., at the front door, out the back window, in the alley, etc.)?

* Do you know where the drugs are kept?

* What is the pattern of activity (times of day and days of the week when it is heaviest; number of people in and out at a given hour; do cars drive up to the house or do people park and walk up; do they arrive in taxis; from which direction do they come; how do they leave)? Keep a written log of your observations, including date and time, can help identify patterns. Have there been any other crimes associated with the operation (e.g., threats or assaults on neighbors, increased burglaries, etc.)?

* Do you know the name and address of the property owner?

* Do you know the name(s) of the person(s) suspected of dealing?

* What do the suspected dealer(s) look like (sex, age, race, height, weight, build, hair and eye color, hair style, facial hair, complexion, eyewear, distinctive clothing, etc.)? Be as specific as possible with your descriptions.

* What type(s) of car(s) do the suspected dealer(s) drive (make, model, year, two-door or four-door, license number, license state, exterior color, distinctive features)?

* What do the "customers" look like (typical sex, age, race, clothing style)? A detailed description of each buyer isn't necessary, but an overview would be useful.

* What are the license numbers of the customer's cars? License numbers alone won't result in an arrest or probable cause for a search warrant, but can be useful in an investigation.

* How many people live in the house? Are there any children? How old are they?

* Any dogs? What kind? How many?

* Are there bars or any other types of reinforcements on the house windows and doors? What kind? Where? Any alarm or security systems? What kind?

* Have you seen any weapons? What kind? How many?

What Happens After You Make a Report?

Officer Response

When you report drug activity, an officer will respond, as soon as one is available. However, drug transactions seldom involve any danger to either participants or bystanders, and crimes that endanger someone must have the first priority. Also, drug deals are over quickly, and are often completed before an officer can arrive.

Not Sufficient for an Arrest

Citizen reports are not usually the primary justification for a drug arrest. Unless you have special training or experience with drugs or drug users, the courts will say an arrest based on only your testimony isn't justified. Since few citizens can meet the strict legal standards, officers who do have the training and experience must make their own observations and collect evidence the courts will accept.

One reason arrests can't be made just because someone says they saw a drug deal, is that a significant number of such complaints are found to be invalid when they are investigated. This can happen when neighbors misinterpret what they see. Sometimes it happens because the drug complaint is revenge for other neighborhood problems. Both your rights and those of other people have to be protected in the process of spotting drug trafficking.

Provides Cause for an Investigation

Your reports are still very important. Even though they can't be used as the direct justification for an arrest, they let the police know there's a problem, and they provide a reason for police to undertake an investigation of a person or location. Under the laws of our land, police can't stop or investigate people without reasonable suspicion.

Search Warrants

If sufficient cause can be confirmed, a written request is made to a magistrate for a search warrant for the house or building. Residents who possess drugs will be arrested. The court may release them on bail, however, and they may return to their neighborhood while they await trial, but most dealers move elsewhere, or stop dealing after they have been arrested. Under the law, certain propoerty may be confiscated by the government, and the proceeds of the sale given to law enforcement agencies to be used for drug enforcement activities.

What Else Should Neighbors Do?

Organize a Neighborhood Watch.

If you do not have a Neighborhood Watch Program in your neighborhood, an officer can help you set one up. A Neighborhood Watch can inform neighbors who may not be aware of the drug activity and encourage them to observe and report it as well. A Neighborhood Watch can help deter future drug dealing in your neighborhood and also help prevent other types of crimes, such as burglary, that often accompany drug activity.

Keep Your Neighborhood Watch Active.

When new neighbors move in, let them know that you have a Neighborhood Watch Program and invite them to join. This warns anyone moving into your neighborhood that you are alert and will report criminal activity.

It is the unrelentless mission of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Police Department to continually explore solutions to solve, prevent, deter, and respond to crimes and or problems that creates or enhances the commission of crimes with the partnership of the community for the safety and welfare of our community.

IN CASES OF EMERGENCY, PLEASE DIAL 911.

We must stress the importance of calling 911. A 911 dispatcher will send an officer to the address of the emergency; they will also ask questions to assist the officer prior to arrival. The dispatcher may also contact other services that are needed such as medical assistance, fire assistance, or additional police personnel.

Non-emergency dispatch number:

(775)323-2677

Please call this number if you have a non-emergency need to speak to an officer or non-emergency officer assistance.

RSIC TRIBAL POLICE BUSINESS OFFICE

(775)785-8776

This number is to be used to conduct administrative business with the police department, such as leaving messages for police staff, information requests, general questions, or other police business related matters. The police administrative office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

HUNGRY VALLEY SUB-STATION.

(775)785-1365

This number is to be used to conduct administrative business with the police department, such as leaving messages for police staff, information requests, general questions, or other police business related matters. Officers use the sub-station for briefings, writing reports and telephone calls.

PARA EMERGENCIA, LLAMA 911 PARA LA OFICINA, LLAMA (775)785-8776