Lombardo’s Crime Claims Questioned as Trooper Shortages Worsen

Examining Joe Lombardo’s Crime Record: A Closer Look Behind the Numbers

Joe Lombardo, Nevada’s Governor, has been publicly promoting his achievements in crime reduction, but a deeper dive into the data suggests a different narrative. While political ads funded by undisclosed sources claim a 16% reduction in violent crime, the actual figures reveal a decline of less than 7%, trailing behind the national average. Furthermore, these advertisements rely on outdated statistics, collected before Lombardo’s crime legislation was enacted.

Interestingly, Clark County has seen a consistent decrease in violent crime rates each year following Lombardo’s departure from the sheriff’s office, and prior to the implementation of his lauded legislation. This trend raises questions regarding the true impact of his policies on crime.

Moreover, Lombardo’s campaign promises to address the shortage of state troopers have not materialized into effective action. Despite labeling the vacancies as “a crisis” during his campaign, the situation has deteriorated under his governance. Lombardo vetoed a legislative proposal that would have increased state police salaries, opposing the union’s collective bargaining agreement aimed at providing essential pay raises. This decision was contrary to the supportive votes by Attorney General Aaron Ford and Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, who successfully pushed for increased officer pay despite Lombardo’s resistance.

The Nevadan: Lombardo’s Crime Claims Scrutinized

Key insights:

Lombardo’s claims of a 16% crime reduction are contradicted by a mere 6.96% decline in 2025, with his crime bill only effective from January 1 this year.

Clark County experienced a decrease in violent crime rates annually post-Lombardo’s tenure as sheriff, with reductions of 4.97% in 2023, 5.5% in 2024, and 6.96% in 2025.

Despite campaigning to resolve state trooper vacancies using American Rescue Plan Act funds, Lombardo did not allocate these resources to the Nevada State Police once elected.

Lombardo’s veto against salary increases for state troopers has exacerbated the staffing shortages he pledged to address.

The shortage of state troopers now sees vacancy rates nearing 50% for highway patrols, with limited overnight coverage in Las Vegas and halted patrols in Reno between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.

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