Sheriff Joe Lombardo went public Wednesday addressing the rise of violence in Las Vegas.
Visibly upset and tired he also addressed the criticism his leadership has received.
"It's really troubling to me to see in the community, and in the press, people equating this rise in violent crime to some poor decisions I have made," Lombardo said. "I am not, nor will I ever make a decision based on what I believe without have all the intelligence before I deploy my resources. Everybody's life is as important to me as it is to you."
The sheriff says about 50 percent of the most violent crimes over the past year are gang-related, emphasizing the criminals and suspects involved are getting younger and younger.
"I want the public to be assured that I'm doing everything within my power with this organization to bring to bare all the resources I have available to address this issue," he said.
Part of his approach to cracking down on crime includes conversations with law enforcement leaders across the country, specifically in in Los Angeles. He's also called on former Clark County Sheriffs for advise.
During his media brief the sheriff also defended his decision to restructure the department's gang unit, reiterating that the unit has not been disbanded.
"I have not gotten rid of the gang unit," he said. "What I have done is deployed those gang officers out to the area command so they can deal with the gangs that are specific to those areas."
Lombardo says he and the staff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is committed to making Clark County safer.
"The most important thing I can do is provide a blanket of safety to this community," he said.
