SPARKS, Nev. (KOLO) – As the City of Sparks braces for a projected $12 million deficit starting in fiscal year 2026, two police officers are speaking out, warning that the budget shortfall is already putting public safety at risk.
“I’d like to see the City of Sparks prioritize public safety,” one officer said.
The officers, both of whom requested anonymity to protect their jobs, say the police department is severely understaffed—often operating with as few as four officers covering the entire city during a shift. With a population of roughly 112,000, that’s far below the generally accepted ratio of one officer per 10,000 residents…