Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

 

Law-enforcement agencies: Help us SWEEP domestic violence this fall! 

One of our most successful operations is the annual Family Violence Warrant Sweep. 

Each fall, working with agencies across the United States, we attempt to serve as many outstanding family-violence warrants as possible in a single day.

Last year, over 180 Sheriff's Offices from 22 different states participated -- along with local municipal law-enforcement agencies, probation departments, District Attorney's offices, shelter organizations, and community members. All told, over 1,000 law-enforcement members participated.

The results were staggering. There were over 5,000 nationwide attempts to serve arrest warrants, and 1,000 warrants served.

 The SWEEP sends the message to offenders that no matter where they flee, we will work together to hold them accountable for their crimes.

We've created a Web page for the 2010 SWEEP. If you're from a law-enforcement agency and want to get involved in our growing national fight against domestic violence, be sure to check it out and get involved.

It's an honor to serve you.

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

Free 'Women's Empowerment Project' classes help victims break domestic-violence cycle

Dear citizens:

Are  you a woman who's been emotionally or physically abused by a current or former intimate partner? The free "Women’s Empowerment Project" (WEP) series of classes can help you break that cycle.

Sponsored by Clackamas County Community Corrections, WEP is designed for women who were in abusive relationships in the past, or who are thinking about ending a current one. Classes are free and open to all women in Clackamas County. Evening classes begin Aug. 5 and Sept. 15 starting at 6:30 p.m.

Topics include: the cycle of violence, coping mechanisms, effects of abuse on children, risk assessments, safety planning, non-violent communication and self-esteem.

About 85% of domestic violence victims are women. Abusers hurt their victims economically, emotionally, verbally and sexually. They usually control their violence carefully, ensuring their behavior is kept out of the public eye. If you or someone you know is interested in the WEP workshops, please contact Patricia Barrera, Victim Services Program Coordinator patriciabar@co.clackamas.or.us or call 503-655-8776.

For more information click here. You can also find a video about the WEP classes on our YouTube channel.

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!

Talking Green Line crime with TriMet -- June 23, 2010

Dear Citizens: On June 23, 2010, I appeared at a TriMet board meeting with Clackamas Fire District #1 Chief Ed Kirchofer to talk about the increase in crime since the arrival of the light-rail "Green Line" at Clackamas Town Center. KOIN Local 6 was there to spotlight our testimony.

Click here to watch the KOIN Local 6 news video.

UPDATE: KATU also has a report on Green Line crime. Click here to watch it on their YouTube channel.

It's an honor to serve you.

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.

2009 Annual Crime Report now online

Dear Citizens:

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

Our 2009 Annual 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, death investigations, traffic and DUII arrests, and much, much more.

You can download this 37-page .pdf right here.

It's an honor to serve you.

-- Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts

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.

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