Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

 

Congratulations to Capt. Alexander

The state's sheriffs agree: The Clackamas County Jail is in good hands.

In December, the Oregon State Sheriff's Association (OSSA) named our own Capt. Mike Alexander its 2011 "Jail Manager of the Year" -- recognizing him for achievements that included seeing the county's jail through a complex remodel and overseeing the adoption of a new healthcare system for inmates.

Click here to read our press release on the award -- which includes information on a very successful December jail inspection by the OSSA.

IN THE NEWS: Holiday giving, holiday safety

Dear Citizens:

Season's Greetings to you and yours. Here are some stories of interest:

• Pictured above: The Clackamas County Peace Officers Benevolent Foundation (CCPOBF) also just co-hosted the annual "Shop with a Cop" event at Wal-Mart.  The Oregonian and the Clackamas Review both wrote about the event -- which gives kids a positive experience with law enforcement while providing them with Christmas gifts. We've posted some highlights on our YouTube channel.

• The Oregonian just wrote about the CCPOBF helping a Dallas man, Tim Kiel (pictured at right), who is waiting for a heart transplant. KXL also posted an extended audio interview with Kiel and his family.

• The Oregon City Police have posted an excellent video on holiday crime prevention.

• We're working with the Sheriff's Offices in Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill counties to increase DUII patrols over the holidays.

• The Estacada News reports that Clackamas Women's Services is expanding its service in rural Clackamas County.

• Our Public Safety Events Calendar contains new listings for January -- including a class series on domestic violence and a bullying seminar for parents. Click here to check it out.

• And as always, you can follow the Sheriff's Office on our YouTube channel and Twitter feed.

It's an honor to serve you. Happy Holidays.

 

A thank-you from Sheriff Roberts

Tuesday night (Nov. 8, 2011), the voters of Clackamas County stepped up and showed their strong support for the Sheriff's Office by passing Measure 3-378 by a 3-to-1 margin. That is an amazing degree of commitment -- especially given the difficult economic climate -- and I want to offer my sincere thanks to everyone who voted to support us.

Everybody here at the Sheriff's Office is heartened by this result. We've worked hard over the past five years to keep you safe and hold offenders accountable, all while keeping expenses down. We look at this outcome as a powerful endorsement of how we do our jobs -- and we will redouble our efforts as a result.

You first passed the levy in 2006, which has allowed us to:

• Open 84 shuttered jail beds -- which reduced the number of prisoners released early into the community by approximately 91 percent;
• Hire 19 additional patrol deputies -- providing regular police protection for more than 150,000 county residents; and,
• Create a regional drug task force to combat methamphetamine-related crime.
  

Now, because of your support, we will continue and expand these initiatives.

Working together, we really can make a difference.

New 'Briefing Room' newsletter now online

The latest issue of our "Briefing Room" newsletter is now online. It features "Most Wanted" and "Can You ID Me?" updates, a profile of Deputy Gary Bergerson (pictured) and his money-saving innovations in inmate transport, links to news stories about the Sheriff's Office, a SARCon wrap-up, and much more.

Click here to check it out.  You can subscribe to the e-mail version by clicking here.

IN THE NEWS: KOIN Local 6 embeds with drug task force, domestic-violence sweep

Dear Citizens:

KOIN Local 6 recently traveled with our deputies to report a couple of terrific feature stories:

•  First, KOIN's Amy Frazier spent a day with the Clackamas County Inter-agency Task Force (CCITF) as they made multiple local drug arrests involving meth and heroin. Click here to watch the story.

• KOIN also rode along with law-enforcement personnel on our annual domestic-violence warrant sweep, the 9th annual National Family Violence Apprehension Detail. The sweep is a day-long event, in which agencies across the United States attempt to serve outstanding family-violence warrants. Click here to watch the story.

It's an honor to serve you.

New on the web: a jail video tour, SARCon, thank-yous, 'Most Wanted' updates, and more

Dear Citizens:

Several new Sheriff's Office updates are live on the web:

• There's a new video on our YouTube channel: "Inside the Clackamas County Jail" -- which offers an in-depth look at the history and operations of our world-class jail.

• Check out our webpage for Northwest SARCon to find out about the latest updates for our landmark search-and-rescue conference, set for Oct. 13-16, 2011 at the Resort at the Mountain in Welches.

• We've also updated our "Most Wanted" and "Can You ID Me?" webpages -- which enable you to help us find suspects and people of interest in a variety of Clackamas County cases. You can also look at our latest news releases and give us tips on ongoing cases.

• We've added several new messages from citizens to our "Thank-You Letters" webpage. Learn about just a few of the good impressions our deputies are making in your community.

• And visit our "Public Safety Events Calendar" to learn about happenings presented by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and its community partners. You can also track updates on our Twitter feed.

It's an honor to serve you.

IN THE NEWS: Sheriff Roberts rides for the Benevolent Foundation

The Clackamas Review just reported on Sheriff Craig Roberts' Cycle Oregon ride (with his 14-year-old son Ryan) for the Clackamas County Peace Officers’ Benevolent Foundation.

As the Review writes, the Benevolent Foundation "was founded in 2005 by Steve Hyson and Mark Koberstein, with the original intent to help police officers who were injured or killed. For a variety of reasons, the foundation decided to broaden its focus, to also help children at risk and victims of crimes, and to educate the community about law enforcement."

You can learn much more about the Roberts family, their Cycle Oregon ride, and the Benevolent Foundation's charitable efforts at this link.

NEW VIDEOS: 'Most Wanted,' safe driving and a terrific deputy profile

Dear Citizens:

Three new videos featuring the Sheriff's Office are now online:

• TV news station KOIN Local 6 just broadcast a terrific feature story in which reporter Amy Frazier interviewed Clackamas County Jail Deputy Pat Johnson. Frazier learns about Deputy Johnson's life on the job -- and also about her unique life in sports. Click here to watch it.

• A brand-new episode of "Clackamas County's Most Wanted" is up on our YouTube channel. Be sure to watch all the way to the end, when we celebrate the three-decade career of Criminalist Greg Martin.

• And finally: Check out our new 30-second public-safety announcement, in which I urge teenagers to stay off their mobile devices while driving -- it's the law, and it could prevent a tragic accident.

It's an honor to serve you.

 

'Keeping it in the family'

The Clackamas Review just published a terrific profile of Clackamas County Undersheriff Dave Kirby, his daughter and his family's unique law-enforcement history.

Daughter Danielle "is the youngest member of the family to attend the FBI Academy" in Quantico, VA, where she finished the FBI’s nine-day Youth Leadership Program. Her attendance there means three generations of the Kirby family have now studied at the Bureau's elite training facility.

Click here to read the whole feature.

New activity book for kids: 'Mik & Nero Meet the Deputies!'

You've seen Deputy Sheriffs in your community -- but do you know everything the Sheriff's Office does to protect, serve and educate the public?

In our newest coloring and activity book, K-9 Deputies Mik and Nero give young readers an action-packed tour of the Sheriff's Office -- and show kids how they can get involved!

You can download the book here, on our Sheriff's Office kids' webpage.

2010 Annual Crime Report now online

Dear Citizens:

Want to read a detailed breakdown of Clackamas County's crime statistics from last year?

Our 2010 Annual Crime Report is now online as a free public download. This "Analysis of Crimes in Clackamas County" features flowcharts and graphs containing easy-to-read, in-depth stats on crime rates, stolen vehicles, domestic violence, calls for service, traffic and DUII arrests, and much, much more.

You can download this 38-page .pdf right here.

It's an honor to serve you.

-- Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts

Congrats to the Cadets

Dear Citizens:

Here's a great e-mail from Capt. Kevin Layng that crossed my desk this week:

Our Cadets started bugging their advisors about a regional competition in Las Vegas (of course) about six months ago. The money wasn't in the budget to send them. With the help of Barb McCullough, Marcus Mendoza and Jonathan Lee, they organized several successful fundraisers, bringing in thousands of dollars, enough to send a team to Vegas.

Once there, they competed against 42 teams from around the country in all types of law-enforcement-duty related scenarios, obstacle courses and shooting competitions.

In the photo I've attached [linked above], you'll see the 1st Place Trophy for the downed officer rescue event. They also took 4th and 5th place trophies in team challenge and shooting competitions.

A big thank-you to all of you that purchased cruise raffle tickets or have supported the cadets through training and mentoring. I'm incredibly proud of the determination these kids have shown and equally happy for them in their success. Give them a pat on the back when you see them.

Congratulations, Cadets! It's an honor to serve with you.

NEWS ROUNDUP: New 'Most Wanted,' a successful rescue and the Relay for Life

Dear Citizens:

• On Saturday, June 11, I helped kick off the 2011 American Cancer Society Relay For Life. The event is a 22-hour relay, held at Heckard Field in Molalla, that raises funds for cancer-fighting efforts -- while offering "a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease."

This event has come a long way since it started in 2001. There were 22 teams and it rained the whole time. This year, at least 57 teams participated, with a goal of raising $80,000.

This is a cause everyone can relate to. My own family has been touched by cancer. I had a young cousin named Daniel. He was diagnosed with a Wilms Tumor, and fought long and hard, spending a lot of time in the hospital. Every night, he would use the nurses’ intercom to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” When he passed away, the entire medical staff showed up for the funeral. It's one of many reasons I was there on Saturday.

You can learn more about the Relay for Life by clicking here.

• In other news: Several new suspects have been added to our "Most Wanted" webpage. Click here to check it out -- you might help us catch a fugitive.

• On June 9, our Search & Rescue Coordinators led a successful retrieval of an injured climber on Mt. Hood -- with help from AMR's Reach And Treat (RAT) Team, Portland Mountain Rescue and Mountain Wave Emergency Communications. Click here to read our press release about the rescue, and thanks to our SAR partners for their invaluable assistance.

It's an honor to serve you.

'Child Abuse Prevention Month,' KOIN and a new editorial

Dear Citizens:

Heading into our Child Abuse and Family Violence Summit, we're once again partnering with KOIN Local 6 to get the word out about preventing child abuse.

Last year, KOIN worked closely with the Sheriff's Office throughout April -- "Child Abuse Prevention Month" -- running stories focusing on aspects of child abuse and neglect. We're extremely grateful for this remarkable and educational media partnership, and we're proud to be doing it again in 2011.

You can find KOIN's "Child Abuse Prevention Month" stories on a special web page, koinendabuse.com.

I also have a new editorial on the subject: "Child abuse seems like an overwhelming problem -- but you can make a difference." You can read it here. 

It's an honor to serve you.

New 'Briefing Room,' new Twitter account

The latest issue of our "Briefing Room" newsletter is now online -- featuring "Most Wanted" updates, links to videos, a report on Sheriff Roberts' recent visit to Salem to talk about mental-health issues, and much more.

Among the stories is the announcement that the Sheriff's Office is now on Twitter. Want the latest Sheriff's Office updates in 140 characters or less? Follow our feed. It features links to the latest news releases, Web-site updates, public-safety event listings and much more. Check it out now at twitter.com/ClackCoSheriff.

New on YouTube: KOIN's terrific report on the Community Corrections warrant sweep

 

On Feb. 10, 2011, Clackamas County Community Corrections coordinated its annual "warrant sweep" -- targeting absconders who've violated the terms of their parole or probation.

KOIN Local 6 accompanied the Sheriff's Office during the day-long sweep -- creating a beautifully edited feature story on the effort. Click here to watch it.

Nineteen law-enforcement officers -- representing every agency in the county except Gladstone -- participated. Sweep teams attempted to serve warrant arrests on 135 criminal offenders; 142 different addresses were attempted -- resulting in 17 arrests. 

New on our YouTube channel: 'Earthquake Preparedness'

James Roddey -- the Earth Science Information Officer for the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries -- was the keynote speaker at Northwest SARCon 2010.

In a seven-part video series -- now available on our YouTube channel -- Roddey talks about the likelihood of a catastrophic earthquake in the Pacific Northwest, and how you can prepare for this impending event.

New 'Briefing Room' now online

 

Click here to check out the latest edition of our "Briefing Room" newsletter. In this edition: "Most Wanted" and "Cold Case" updates, our Strategic Plan, new hires, "Mik & Nero," a major drug bust, and much more.

If you want to subscribe to the e-mail edition of "The Briefing Room," click here.

New 'Cold Case' added

A new unsolved mystery has been added to our "Cold Case" webpage -- the March 2009 home-invasion murder of Joseph Patrick Haley (pictured).

Click here to read more -- your tips may be able to help us bring justice and closure in the aftermath of a brutal murder.

Quick bits: New 'Most Wanted,' MSO jobs, and conference updates

• 'Most Wanted' updates: We've updated "Clackamas County's Most Wanted" with a new YouTube video and an updated web page. Check it out -- you might just help us bring an alleged criminal to justice.

• Hiring Marine Service Officers: This summer, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit will hire three or four new Marine Service Officers (MSOs). MSOs are non-sworn team members who assist our Marine Unit deputies. We're accepting applications for these jobs until Feb. 11, 2011 -- click here for more info.

• The Summit returns: Our Child Abuse and Family Violence Summit returns to Portland April 26-29. Check out the Summit's website to learn more about our three-and-a-half day multi-disciplinary conference for professionals working in the areas of investigations, interviewing, assessment, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse, neglect and domestic violence.

• Save the date: Northwest SARCon -- our search-and-rescue conference for emergency responders and their supervisors -- returns to Welches on Oct. 13-16, 2011. Updated info will be posted on the conference's website in the coming months. Stay tuned.

Honoring Chief Painter

 

Dear Citizens:

Today (Friday, Jan. 14, 2011), I joined citizens, family and law-enforcement personnel from across the Northwest and Canada at the University of Portland's Chiles Center for a "Ceremony of Honor" remembering Rainier Police Chief Ralph Painter -- who was killed during a struggle with 21-year-old suspect at a car-stereo shop on Jan. 5.

Honoring our fallen officers is a solemn and necessary part of our duty, and I offer my sincere condolences to Chief Painter's family -- including his wife Amy, his seven children, his mother, and three siblings -- and his colleagues in the wake of this horrible tragedy.

Here are links to Chief Painter's obituary and a memorial page in his honor.

Painter was a 25-year veteran of the Rainier Police, and had served as its chief for five years.

You can help the family in the aftermath. The City of Rainier has set up an account for the benefit of Chief Painter’s family at Bank of America. Contributions can be made to the "City of Rainier in Memory of Ralph Painter" account at any Bank of America branch.

It's an honor to serve you.

Now online: 'Clackamas County's Most Wanted' and a teen-drinking comic book

Dear Citizens:

Over on our YouTube channel, we've posted the latest installment of "Clackamas County's Most Wanted." Check it out -- and help us bring alleged criminals to justice.

We're also excited to unveil the latest issue of our crime-prevention comic-book series, "Mik & Nero." This issue is titled "Teen Drinking: The Hardest Lesson," and it's a powerful look at the consequences of underage drinking and driving.

You can find print copies of "Teen Drinking: The Hardest Lesson" and other Mik & Nero comics at our North Station and Public Safety Training Center, or you can download them at our "Mik & Nero" kids' webpage.

It’s an honor to serve you.

-- Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts

Introducing our Strategic Plan

Dear Citizens:

Today, we are moving forward with one of my long-held goals for the Sheriff’s Office as I introduce you to our new Strategic Plan.

Click here to download the Strategic Plan.
(PDF format)

The Strategic Plan is a roadmap that will guide us for the next three years -- helping us to become an even better organization. It has four broad goals:

1. Enhancing the Safety of Our Community
2. Increasing Resources for Future Growth and Stability of the Sheriff’s Office
3. Promoting a Proactive, Innovative and Efficient Organization
4. Growing and Enhancing Community and Stakeholder Partnerships

These four goals support 47 individual objectives across our five divisions -- the specific steps we will take to achieve these goals.

This plan is a living document. It will evolve and change while we are implementing it. We're already hard at work on some of these objectives, and some of them have already been completed. During the strategic-planning process, we also revisited our vision, mission statement and values. Capt. Kevin Poppen will head our Strategic Planning Steering Committee, which will ensure that this plan is implemented.

Many, many people have helped us to develop this Strategic Plan, and I owe all of them my sincere thanks. I appreciate the input, and the patience, that have made this day possible.

It's an honor to serve you.

 

Sheriff's Reserve now accepting applications for 2011 academy

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Reserve has been an invaluable part of the Sheriff’s Office for over 50 years. This volunteer organization of dedicated, trained citizens supports and assists Sheriff's Deputies in several ways -- including but not limited to:

• Assisting at the Clackamas County Jail -- including transporting custodies and arrestees
• Helping out at special events, including the Oregon International Air Show and Sandy Mountain Daze
• Attending public-school activities, including dances and football and basketball games
• Riding with and covering Deputies on uniformed patrol
• Traffic control
• Marine patrol
• Crime-scene security

Many Reserve Deputies go on to a full-time career in law enforcement. But even if you aren’t considering a career, the Reserve provides an incredible chance to serve your community by training for and engaging in law enforcement on a professional basis.

The Sheriff's Office is accepting applications through Feb. 1, 2011 for its 2011 Reserve Academy. For more information, click here. To download an application form (PDF format), click here. And for more information call (503) 557-5800 ext. 1130.

Praising the Posse

Dear Citizens:

Be sure to visit our Web page of thank-you letters to read a terrific note I received from Suzanne Cleland-Zamudio, M.D., Executive Director of the Sycamore Lane Therapeutic Riding Center. She praises the Clackamas County Sheriff's Posse for donating over six tons of hay to feed the therapy horses at the Center.

"It has been a rough recession for small non-profit organizations in Clackamas County and our support has been limited," she writes. "The Posse made me cry when they showed up with over six tons of hay for my farm. I am so grateful to the Posse for their assistance -- which restores my faith in this community to assist others."

I also want to recognize the Posse for its impressive donation. It's an honor to serve with them.

-- Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts

Hot off the presses: the latest 'Briefing Room'

Dear Citizens:

Click here to check out the latest issue of our "Briefing Room" newsletter. Among the stories ...

• "SWIFT Action" -- The Sheriff's Office and Clackamas Fire work together to form an elite water-disaster strike team.

• A remembrance of former Sheriff Bill Brooks, who passed away in January 2010. He was a great leader and friend to the Sheriff’s Office, and we want to honor his legacy of service.

• "Walking for Jake" -- The amazing story of Jennifer McCarty (left), who hiked 1,000 miles to help give my friend Jake French a chance at regaining his lost mobility.

... and much more, including child-abuse prevention tips and recognition of a major drug bust by the county's drug task force. Give the new issue a look and drop us a line. You can also subscribe to the e-mail version of the newsletter by clicking here.

It's an honor to serve you.

-- Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts

Northwest SARCon site now live!

The site for Northwest SARCon -- our search-and-rescue conference, held Oct. 14-17 in the shadow of Mt. Hood -- is now live for 2010. Click here to learn more!

New on YouTube: 'Clackamas County's Most Wanted'

Dear Citizens: On our YouTube channel, you can now find the latest installment of "Clackamas County's Most Wanted" -- in which I present the latest info on area fugitives and ask for your help to track them down.

It's an honor to serve you.

Help find Kyron Horman

Click here to learn more about the search for 7-year-old Kyron Horman, who disappeared from Skyline Elementary in Portland during a science fair on Friday, June 4.

Here's The Oregonian's reporting on the case.

Kyron is 3'8" and weighs 50 pounds, and was last seen on June 4 wearing a black t-shirt with "CSI" in green letters and a handprint graphic. Kyron was also wearing black cargo pants, white socks and black Sketchers sneakers with orange trim. He wears metal framed glasses.

Anyone with information on Kyron's whereabouts should contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST) or the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Tip Line at 503-261-2847.

'Stranger Danger' video on Parenting Today

 
Sheriff Roberts -- with help from young correspondent Grace Jensen -- presents safety tips on "Stranger Danger" in a new video at ParentingToday.tv.

Walking for Jake

Dear Citizens:

Long-distance hiker Jennifer McCarty was deeply moved when she heard the story of Jake French -- the 24-year-old Dufur resident who was paralyzed in December 2008. Jake is pursuing aggressive -- and expensive -- therapy at Adapt Advanced in Beaverton. It's the best shot he has at gaining back some of his lost mobility. (Click here to watch a video of my visit with Jake, or read our feature story about him.)

Jennifer decided that she wanted to help Jake -- so she's taking a walk. A very long walk.

Jennifer is hiking 1,000 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail -- from Mexico to Yosemite Valley, CA -- to help raise money for Jake to attend Adapt Advanced. Learn more about the hike -- and how you can help -- on Jennifer's Web site, or on the online journal she's keeping of her journey. Jennifer's goal is to raise $5,000, which will support Jake’s rehabilitation for two months.

Donations can be made directly to the “Jake French Fund” care of the Clackamas County Peace Officers’ Benevolent Foundation. To make a donation or for more information, download this form (PDF format).

It's an honor to serve you.

 

KOIN named a 'Champion for Children' at Child Abuse & Family Violence Summit

On Thursday, April 29, 2010, KOIN Local 6 was presented with a "Champions for Children" award at our 2010 Child Abuse & Family Violence Summit.

KOIN worked closely with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office throughout April 2010, a.k.a. "Child Abuse Prevention Month." The station ran stories focusing on aspects of child abuse and neglect every day during its April "KOIN Local 6 at 6" broadcast. We're extremely grateful for this remarkable -- and educational -- media partnership.

Check out our 'Public Safety Events Calendar'

Be sure to take a look at our "Public Safety Events Calendar" for listings of all sorts of upcoming public-safety happenings sponsored by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and its community partners -- including a "Family Fun Day" at Bullwinkle's, "Safe Kids Day" at the Oregon Zoo, our first charity shooting contest, fundraisers for TIP (Trauma Intervention Programs), and much more. 

County updates alarm ordinance; changes effective starting April 28

Dear Citizens:

Clackamas County's alarm ordinance (Chapter 8.07 of the Clackamas County Code) has been updated by the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners.

These changes became effective on Wednesday, April 28, 2010. Alarm Permits issued after April 28, 2010, will be issued under the new ordinance. Alarm renewals due as of June 1, 2010 will be issued under the new ordinance.

The purpose of the updated Alarm Ordinance is to reduce the number of false alarms that the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office receives. Currently, over 98% of all burglary and robbery alarms prove false. Sheriff's patrol units are dispatched to all alarms. The hours and resources used during responses to unfounded false alarms is a burden on resources.

Neighboring counties and cities utilizing similar alarm ordinances have experienced greatly reduced numbers of false alarms within their jurisdictions. This results in patrol officers being more available to meet other requests for service. With limited revenues, increasing county populations, and only a limited number of deputies, it's important that the deputies and resources of the Sheriff's Office be allocated to their best use.

We expect this updated Alarm Ordinance to help us make more efficient use of our deputies and provide more timely law-enforcement service to county citizens.

It's an honor to serve you.

 

SWIFT wins an award

As reported in The Oregonian on April 5, our new Swift Water Incident / Flood Team (SWIFT) has received a 2010 National Higgins & Langley Memorial Award in Swiftwater Rescue for program development.

Rick Bella at The Oregonian has the full story.

New on YouTube: Rescue stories, 'Child Abuse Prevention Month' and 'Clackamas County's Most Wanted'

New uploads to our YouTube channel:

• "It's OK to Tell" -- During April 2010, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is teaming up with KOIN Local 6 for "Child Abuse Prevention Month." In this 30-second PSA, Sheriff Craig Roberts teams up with KOIN's Jeff Gianola and Kelley Day to remind kids that "It's OK to tell."

• The latest "Clackamas County's Most Wanted" -- Sheriff Roberts presents our Most Wanted fugitives as of April 2010.

• "Miracle on Main Street" -- The heartwarming story of a lost wallet returned to the Clackamas County Courthouse.

• And, finally, four rescue stories -- in which an injured climber, a woman attacked by her then-boyfriend and a couple lost along the Salmon River share their ordeals and thank their rescuers. You'll also hear the story of a Good Samaritan who helped three fishermen after their SUV was submerged in the Willamette River.

Hot off the presses: New 'Neighborhood Watch' newsletter

Dear citizens:

You can now check out the latest issue of our "Neighborhood Watch" newsletter.

The new issue features some terrific articles on how to be a good witness, talking to your kids about drugs and alcohol, and the importance of keep gas in your car's tank. We also provide a handy downloadable form so you can create an inventory of your valuables.

It's an honor to serve you.

Now you can send us crime tips via text message

On Thursday, May 21, we unveiled an exciting new crime-fighting tool: Cell-phone users across Clackamas County can now send us anonymous crime-fighting tips through the power of text messaging.

Click here to read all the details.

It's an honor to serve you.

The Oregonian: 'Humane approach aids deputy in eviction cases'

Dear Citizens:

Oregonian reporter Rick Bella recently spent some time with Deputy Lawrence Jones of our Civil Division. The resulting article is a great read -- touching on Deputy Jones' "calm approach to what could be a really ugly job ... [enforcing] court-ordered evictions when people lose their homes."

Bella goes on to write:

The way Sheriff Craig Roberts sees it, that job should include helping people in need. That's why the sheriff's office printed a new flier that deputies now give to people who are losing their homes.

Titled "Getting Help After Eviction or Foreclosure," the four-page brochure lists contact information for agencies that offer mental health services, social services, housing referral, emergency shelter, food distribution, employment services, health care, youth programs, legal services, conflict resolution and services tailored for youth and the elderly.

We know times are tough. Circumstances beyond a person's control may lead to an eviction. But help is available. You can find an online version of our "Getting Help After Eviction or Foreclosure" brochure right here.

It's an honor to serve you.

-- Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts 

An important message on Concealed Handgun Licenses and your privacy

Dear Citizens:

Recently, my office has received a number of letters from concealed handgun license (CHL) holders requesting that information in their CHL file be kept confidential by my office. I am writing to clarify my position as the Sheriff of Clackamas County with respect to the public’s right under state law to inspect CHL records. I also want to inform you of how you can help me prevent disclosure of your CHL file.

You may be aware that earlier this year, a ruling by the Jackson County Circuit Court determined that the Jackson County Sheriff could not withhold personal information in CHL files from public inspection under ORS 192.501 (23), a law that protects “security measures” from public inspection. Jackson County has appealed that decision to the Oregon Court of Appeals. I intend to work with my fellow Sheriffs for passage of legislation that would exempt CHL files from public disclosure. In the meantime, I must proceed under the existing statutes. 

It is my belief that CHL files should be private and not disclosed. As a general matter, Oregon’s Public Records Law grants every person a right to inspect any public record unless a particular record fits within specific exemptions to public disclosure. Working with counsel, we have identified three exemptions under current Oregon law that I believe apply to CHL files:

1. Personal safety -- ORS 192.445;
2. Information that would identify security measures -- ORS 192.501(23);
3. And information of a personal nature if disclosure would be an unreasonable invasion of privacy -- ORS 192.502(2).

For me to determine if a CHL file is protected under law, I must make a determination based on a request or information provided by each individual license holder. Without such information, I am unable to protect personal information contained in the CHL file from disclosure. Please send this exemption-request form (PDF, 84kb) to my Office if you believe disclosure of your CHL file fits within any of the statutory exemptions I have identified. 

Send your completed form (which you can download here) to:

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
Concealed Handgun License Unit
12700 S.E. 82nd Ave.
Clackamas, OR 97015

Our Web page at www.clackamas.us/sheriff/concealed.htm will provide information on this matter as it becomes available. In addition, you can sign up to receive the Sheriff’s Office newsletter electronically. The electronic newsletter is used to communicate newsworthy events and important updates to our subscribers. This is a timely and cost effective way for us to communicate important information with our citizens, so we will also use this format to communicate major changes to the Concealed Handgun License issue with you. I will follow the existing law, and where appropriate, apply the above exemptions. 

Please return your form immediately if you want to request that your personal information be treated as exempt from disclosure.

It's an honor to serve you.

How do we deal with an officer-involved shooting? This video has the answers

 

 Dear citizens:

I'm proud to announce the release of "Inside the Tape" -- a dramatic 20-minute video that takes the public behind the scenes to see how we respond to an officer-involved shooting.

The video opens with a fictional lethal-force incident in which a deputy is forced to shoot a man who pulls a gun during a traffic stop. We then use dramatic re-creations and interviews with real-life experts to demonstrate the careful, multi-agency, coordinated response taken by law-enforcement and other officials as they investigate the incident.

Click here to watch the video.

(Pops in new window;
optimized for Windows and Internet Explorer)

The video was created in response to the passage of Senate Bill 111 -- which requires law-enforcement officials to educate the public about their responses to incidents involving the use of deadly physical force.

As I say in the video's introduction: Our mission is to be open and transparent in these situations. We need to be considerate of and compassionate toward the deputies involved in these situations, their families, and also the family of the individual who died as a result of a deputy's actions. It's our hope that this video will provide some valuable insights.

It's an honor to serve you.

-- Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts

Our Jail Web site: new and improved!

Dear Citizens:

Our Web pages for the Clackamas County Jail just got a lot more useful.

If you click on the Jail link above (or on the left side of this page), you'll now be taken to a brand-new mini-site. On the left side of that mini-site, you'll find new links to all sorts of practical Jail information, including:

About the Jail
Fast Facts
History
Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
Jail Tours

Inmate Status
Current Inmate Roster
VINE (Victim Information and Notification)

Info for Inmates & Visitors
Frequently Asked Questions
Bail
Visiting Policy
Mail Policy
Inmate Money Accounts
Property Release
PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act)

Thanks to Sgt. Lee Eby and Clackamas County's Web Development Team for helping us set this up.

It's an honor to serve you.

Older Sheriff's Messages