The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents met to review campus safety across the state's universities and colleges. Regent Heather Brown emphasized the importance of engaging directly with university police leadership to understand their operational needs. "I do think it's showing up to the offices, talking with the chiefs, talking with the police officers and hearing what it is they actually need to be more effective," Brown said.
All board members agreed that additional police officers are needed on campuses, but UNLV President Chris Heavey identified funding as the primary barrier. "Speaking for all the presidents, we worry every night about safety on our campus every day. This is a tough situation. I think it's a symptom of the deficit we operate under and the capital issue noted," Heavey explained. He said the system needs legislative support to secure funding without cutting other programs.
Regents also agreed to review reporting practices to define which incidents warrant notification to board leadership. The review will cover action reports and corrective reports as the board restructures its communication protocols.
University Police Southern Command Chief Arnold Vasquez presented crime statistics for the first half of the year. He reported a rise in burglary cases, though he expects numbers to taper off by year-end to match 2023 levels. Narcotics and drug paraphernalia cases are up and trending to remain elevated, which Vasquez attributed to increased officer activity uncovering cases that might have gone undetected previously.
Vasquez highlighted progress in combating scooter thefts through registration programs, increased foot patrols, and community education. He said his team has prioritized outreach and building community connections to reduce crime.
Sources: 8 News Now
Original reporting: 8 News Now →
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