Reno police address downtown complaints

RENO -- Police are responding to complaints from casinos and residents who want to see Reno clean up its downtown.

Police officials met recently with hotel-casino security directors, business owners and residents angered by abandoned buildings, graffiti and panhandling.

The police officials outlined the ways they are addressing the complaints while dealing with citywide budget cuts.

Acting Police Chief Steve Pitts added 11 reserve officers to bolster the ranks. The officers had been laid off the day after they graduated from the police academy.

The city also has almost fully restored downtown bike patrols, which diminished for a variety of reasons including military duty, a pregnancy and injuries.