At today’s Reno City Council meeting, Reno City Manager Andrew Clinger appointed Jason Soto as the Assistant Chief of the Reno Police Department. In this role, he will continue to serve as Acting Police Chief.

Soto was appointed Acting Police Chief on April 10, 2015.

“During his time leading the department, Jason has done a tremendous job of steering and leading the Reno Police Department during a time of transition,” Clinger says. “He is a local, and he has intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the Reno Police Department and our community.”

Clinger’s decision is predicated on appointing Soto as the permanent Police Chief, providing that Soto meets the current minimum qualifications by December 2017.

“It was never a question for me, or frankly for Jason, to change the minimum qualifications,” Clinger says. “It was always about selecting the best candidate for the job and someone who is familiar with our city and the Reno Police Department.”

Soto’s salary, $142,031.02, will remain at the Assistant Chief level. He will not receive any additional pay for the duties associated with the Acting Chief role. While Clinger assesses Soto’s performance, he has halted the Police Chief recruitment process. Council voted unanimously to uphold the City Manager’s request to suspend the national search.

“I thank the City Manager and City Council for the opportunity to continue to lead the Reno Police Department,” Soto says. “In today’s environment a community's respect for law enforcement isn't granted by the badge, but earned by our actions. That’s a responsibility I take seriously. We have been fortunate at RPD to have sworn and professional members who work hard every day to earn the respect of our community.”

Members of the Regional Street Enforcement Team completed an underage alcohol compliance check during this weekend’s Santa Crawl. The operation was funded with federal grant funds secured by our non-profit partner; Join Together Northern Nevada (JTNN).

During today’s operation one 18 year old, three 19 year old and two 20 year old volunteers, attempted to purchase alcohol at 46 different locations. The minor(s) were served alcohol or at six of these locations. At one other location the minor(s) were allowed entry into a bar/saloon serving alcohol. In each instance, the volunteers provided their actual state issued identification if they were asked for it, clearly identifying them as underage patrons. 

It is the goal of the Reno police department and JTNN to create a fun and safe environment for all ages, while ensuring only subjects who are over the age of 21 are served alcohol.

Bars that passed and did not sell alcohol to underage volunteers:

Abbey’s Hwy 40 – 424 East 4^th Street

Studio on 4^th – 432 East 4^th Street

Shooter’s Saloon – 434 North Virginia Street

Louis Basque Corner – 301 East 4^th Street

Lincoln Lounge – 306 East 4^th Street

Davidson’s Distillery – 275 E. 4^th Street

Silver Baron Bar – 407 North Virginia Street

Drinx Lounge – 407 North Virginia Street

Aura Ultra Lounge – 407 North Virginia Street

West 2^nd Street Bar – 118 West 2^nd Street

Tonic Lounge – 231 West 2^nd Street

Thai Corner – 100 West 2^nd Street

Sierra Tap House – 253 West 1^st Street

Se7en Bar – 100 North Arlington Avenue

Sands Casino – 345 North Arlington Avenue

The Pipeline – 345 North Arlington Avenue

Red Rock Studio – 241 South Sierra Street

Pizanos Pizza – 95 North Sierra Street

Our Bar – 211 West 1^st Street

Monolith Bar – 100 North Arlington

Java Vino – 246 West 1^st Street

Imperial Bar – 150 North Arlington Avenue

5 Star Saloon – 132 West Street

3^rd Street Bar – 125 West 3^rd Street

1 up – 214 West Commercial Row

The Waterfall – 134 West 2^nd Street

Doc Holidays – 120 East 2^nd Street

Cal Neva (main bar) – 38 East 2^nd Street

Cal Neva (cabaret bar) – 38 East 2^nd Street

Little Nugget – 233 North Virginia Street

Siri’s Casino – 241 North Virginia Street

Shelter Bowl Bar and Grill – 111 North Virginia Street

Pizza Reno – 26 West 2^nd Street

Ole Bridge Pub – 5 North Sierra Street

Zone 21 – 219 North Center Street

Sapphire Lounge – 219 North Center Street

Novi – 345 North Virginia Street

Centro Bar – 345 North Virginia Street

Whitney Peak – 255 North Virginia Street

Bars that sold alcohol to underage volunteers and were cited:

Stadium Bar – 345 North Virginia Street

Hussong’s Cantina – 407 North Virginia Street

Mellow Fellow - 300 East 2^nd Street

El Cortez Lounge – 239 West 2^nd Street

Singer Social Club – 219 West 2^nd Street

Morris Burner Hotel – 400 East 4^th Street

Bar / Saloon where door person allowed minor(s) entry and was cited:

Brew Brothers – 345 North Virginia Street

The criminal penalty for serving alcohol to a minor and allowing a minor into a bar/saloon are misdemeanors, with a pre-designated fine/bail of $500.00.

The Reno police department would like to thank the businesses who successfully passed the compliance operation for their diligence and ensuring underage minors were not served alcohol.

If applicable, SET and JTNN will meet with the failing business and discuss strategies to improve compliance through practices and equipment. SET's goal is to form a partnership with local businesses to increase compliance and prevent alcohol service to those under 21. 

The Regional Street Enforcement team is comprised of Detectives from the Reno Police Department the Sparks Police Department and the University of Nevada Police Department.   

Anyone having information relating to this crime or the suspect(s) should contact the Reno Police Department at 334-2115, Secret Witness at 322-4900, www.secretwitness.com, or text the tip to 847411 (TIP 411) keyword - SW