Notes

feeding the homeless
- them taking the food and selling it for drugs and things
-Police are being trained to deal with some problems the homeless community faces, such as substance abuse and mental illness. The police now look to providers for help in directing individuals towards services rather than arresting people. However, there are normally sweeps in the city during the tourist season, especially late summer. Hotels that often serve as affordable transitional housing often kick out their low-income occupants for other visitors during the city’s annual "Hot August Nights."

A program called "chronic offender mapping" was initiated in November of 2003. Police patrol the streets to identify offenders they consider to be good targets. Persons with a history of misdemeanor charges are given two options: receive a suspended sentence and stay away from downtown or go to jail.

Businesses in Reno, including the 4th St. Business Corridor group and casinos, have been extremely hostile towards attempts by elected officials, police and service providers to develop a multi-service shelter. A group of Reno business owners sued the city in March of 2003, challenging the decision to locate the shelter in a "struggling area." The pervasive negative attitude by business even led one individual to assert that no money should be spent to house people. After an almost epic thirty-year struggle between these two opposing groups, a shelter is scheduled to be built, contingent on additional funding.