Silver State Times

Joe Lombardo, governor of Nevada, announced that the Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act aims to reinforce the state's criminal code by introducing stricter penalties for theft, fentanyl trafficking, and repeat DUIs. This statement was made on X on April 10.

"The Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act establishes stricter penalties for theft and repeat offenders, targets fentanyl traffickers, and holds repeat DUI offenders accountable," said Lombardo. "It's time to put teeth back into Nevada's penal code. Our bill does just that."

According to The Nevada Independent, Nevada has recently undertaken significant legislative efforts to toughen its criminal justice policies, reversing course on several prior reform measures. In 2023, Governor Lombardo introduced a comprehensive public safety bill aimed at increasing penalties for repeat offenders, restricting early probation discharge, and drastically lowering the threshold for fentanyl trafficking charges from 100 grams to 28 grams. These changes respond to concerns over rising fentanyl deaths and recidivism. Critics argue they could roll back progress made under Assembly Bill 236, a 2019 law designed to reduce prison overcrowding and save the state millions.

Recent data reported by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and summarized by The Nevada Independent indicate that property crime in Nevada has seen a noticeable decline. Burglaries are down 12.3%, larceny down 7.9%, and motor vehicle thefts down 30.6% from the previous year. However, fentanyl-related crimes remain a priority due to the opioid's lethality; the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported in 2024 that it had seized over 60 million fentanyl-laced pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder nationally—enough to supply more than 377 million fatal doses.

Following the passage of Nevada’s Assembly Bill 236 in 2019, which sought to reduce the prison population and redirect resources toward treatment and rehabilitation, the state has seen measurable decreases in recidivism and incarceration. According to The Nevada Independent, the three-year recidivism rate for the 2019 release cohort dropped to 24.4%—the lowest level recorded in over a decade—while the overall prison population also declined. The Nevada Sentencing Commission estimated that the policy prevented approximately $42 million in projected incarceration costs. These trends have been challenged by Lombardo's new legislative push to increase penalties, which some experts warn could reverse recent reform gains.

Lombardo has a long-standing background in law enforcement, having joined the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) in 1988. He rose through the ranks to become assistant sheriff before being elected Clark County Sheriff in 2014 and reelected in 2018. In 2022, he was elected as the 31st governor of Nevada. According to his official biography on the Nevada Governor’s Office website, he holds a Master of Science in crisis management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is affiliated with the Republican Party.

The Nevada state government operates under a tripartite structure comprising executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The Nevada Legislature is bicameral, consisting of a 42-member Assembly and a 21-member Senate that meets biennially for sessions lasting up to 120 days to draft and pass state laws. According to its official site, this process includes bill introduction, committee hearings, floor votes, and gubernatorial approval or vetoes. Meanwhile, the state's criminal justice system includes district courts as well as appellate courts like the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court responsible for interpreting state law.