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MCSO eNewsletter
Your 24/7 Human Services and Public Safety Agency
MAY 2009 |
180 Years of Service
Major James Turney, Captain Bruce McCain, Corrections Deputy Judith May, Enforcement Deputy Mitch Satter, Corrections Deputy Rawn Stone, Enforcement Deputy Paul McRedmond, and Corrections Deputy Renaldo James, all retired in May. Their combined years of County service were almost 180 years. Because they chose to retire before the new fiscal year potentially laid-off staff can be retained. We will miss each one of these dedicated employees and wish them well in their retirement.
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Inmates Help Set Up For March for Babies and Friends of the Library
On April 24th and April 25th Multnomah County Work Crews supervised by Deputies Fisher, Skinner and Glasser assisted the March of Dimes foundation in their annual "March for Babies" fundraiser. The March for Babies event is a 2k, 5k, and 10k walk. This year's goal is to raise $1.4 million. With this money, March of Dimes will be able to continue working for the health of all babies by preventing pre-mature births, birth defects and infant mortality. The success of this event would not be possible without the manpower provided by the County work crew.
On April 24th Multnomah County Works Crews supervised by Deputies Ingram and Schneider assisted the Friends of the Library with their semiannual book sale. The work crew set up the event by unloading a semi trailer of books, setting up tables and organizing the books neatly on the tables. Without the contribution of time from the Multnomah County work crew this event which raises money for the libraries would not be possible.
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Remembering The Fallen Officers Among Us
The month of May marks Law Enforcement Memorial Month. Memorials throughout the United States will be surrounded by members of different federal, state and local agencies as they pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the communities they served. Family members and friends will also pause to remember the lives of the people they knew not only as agent, trooper, deputy or officer, but those they knew as spouse, parent, child, sibling or friend. In tribute to fallen officers and their families, members of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard and Command Staff will attend memorial ceremonies at the Gresham Hero's Memorial, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Memorial, Portland Police Bureau Memorial, Washington County Sheriff's Office Memorial, Clark County Sheriff's Office Memorial, State of Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Memorial, The Loll Memorial and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Memorial. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Memorial is located near the entrance to the Hansen Building at 122nd and Glisan. The eleven members listed on the memorial include:
- Deputy Irving Burkett, who died on August 22nd, 2003
- Deputy Robert "Bobby" Anderson, who died on December 1st, 1994
- Reserve Sergeant Scott Collins, who died on February 6th, 1993
- Reserve Deputy Mark Whitehead, who died on February 6th, 1993
- Sergeant Albert Bowe, who died on November 15th, 1945
- Deputy Ernest C. Loll, who died on September 29th, 1935
- Special Deputy Walter Leonhardt, who died on September 28th, 1931
- Corrections Superintendant Edward Diedrich, who died on May 24th, 1924
- Corrections Powderman Charles Hall, who died on May 24th, 1924
- Deputy Frank Walter Twombley, who died on November 19th, 1918
- Chief Criminal Deputy Robert "Bob" Phillips, who died on November 21st, 1917
To learn more about members of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office who have fallen, please visit www.mcso.us/public/memorium.htm. To learn more about law enforcement personnel who have fallen nationally please visit www.odmp.org.
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Bad Boys
Tree Lover? A 19 year old male is under investigation for skinning and carving expressions of love for his girl friend by writing their names and initials on the trees of 15 old growth cedar trees in Oxbow Park. How was he identified? This amorous fellow left his claw hammer with his name on it at the scene. The estimated damage to the trees is almost $6, 500. How many of the 15 trees will survive will not be known until this fall.
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Concealed Handgun License Holder Update Effective April 24, 2009 Oregon State Statue - House Bill 2727
Exempts the disclosure of records and information that identify person as holder of an applicant for concealed handgun license from disclosure. It requires the application for concealed handgun license to include information relating to exceptions. We will be updating out applications and renewal application to indicate that your personal information will be kept confidential.
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Stats and Facts
Car Prowl Prevention
Multnomah Falls in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge is the most frequently visited natural attraction in Oregon, drawing approximately 2.5 million visitors each year from around the world. Unfortunately, not all visitors to the Gorge come for sightseeing and recreation. Some come to steal belongings from your vehicle in a crime known as a "car prowl." A car prowl is simply a theft of property from inside your vehicle. It is an all-too-common crime that can occur when you are at work, home, shopping, or even while enjoying time in a scenic natural area. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office responded to 19 reported car prowls in the Gorge during the first four months of 2009, and 59 such incidents in the summer of 2008. Most experts agree, however, that these reported offenses are just the tip of the ice berg, as many people don't bother to report the damage and thefts from their vehicle to police. YOU CAN FIGHT BACK! Make it a habit to secure your car before departing. A good rule of thumb is to view each item in your car as though it were a pile of money; a criminal looks at it that way. (The following car prowl prevention tips are from the Metro Parks Tacoma website.)
- Always lock your vehicle.
- Don't leave valuables visible from outside your vehicle.
- Lock items in the trunk, or better yet, remove them and take them with you.
- Record serial numbers and keep them in a secure place, not in the car.
- Park in well-lighted places.
- Report suspicious people and activity to 9-1-1.
- Install a car alarm system or physical security deterrent such as a "club" type of device.
- Install and use removable stereo/electronic equipment and a portable GPS.
Car prowls only take thieves a few moments, but the damage done to locks and windows can be expensive to repair and cause great inconvenience. If you happen to witness a car prowl in progress, don't confront the prowler. Call 911, and if safe, try to get a description of the person.
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Nurse Helps Others Row Their Way to Paralympics
Occupational Health Nurse Molly Murdock has been working with the Sheriff's Office for seven years. Her work here includes annual wellness testing for staff, providing flu and hepatitis vaccinations, working the afterhours exposure line, and assisting the Life Safety Officer with annual in service training. Tackling these tasks on part time hours is a feat unto itself; doing it with an upbeat attitude and an infectious laugh is what makes Nurse Molly an invaluable asset to the Sheriff's Office. Nurse Molly's compassion and commitment to helping others reaches well beyond her average work day. Her hobby of choice has long been spending time on the Willamette River enjoying the sport of rowing. When her passion for helping others collided with her love of rowing, the end result was NW Adaptive Rowing. Founded by Nurse Molly and her husband, NW Adaptive Rowing is a Portland based rowing club committed to getting people with disabilities on the water. Her can do spirit has helped those who may have once envisioned rowing as a distant dream, make it a reality. Nurse Molly's work recently led her to American Lake, near Tacoma, Wa., where an event was held to search for Paralympics athletes amongst disabled U.S. military veterans. Her efforts were recorded by a local news station that aired this report. Nurse Molly can be seen at the end of the story hugging a first time rower after her maiden voyage. The Sheriff's Office is committed to exemplary service in our community, and Nurse Molly's efforts on and off duty clearly aide the agency in achieving this goal.
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SAR Training More Than Just Hanging Around
This was the third annual Multnomah Falls Clean-Up event. The event is put on through the Mount Hood SAR Council. The Mt Hood SAR Council is a regional group made up of search and rescue organizations in the Mt Hood Region. The Multnomah Falls Clean Up event is run by Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. Planning this year was done by Deputies Bybee and Gustafson along with US Forest Service Ranger Aaron Peterson. The goal of the event is to do some community service while cleaning up the area around the Falls and neighboring trail-heads. Some of the areas are accessible only by rappelling via rope systems. Along with gathering trash left from the previous year, it also provides some time to train and exercise skills while also educating the public on search and rescue. The event this year was attended by Multnomah County SAR, PNW SAR, NORSAR, Yamhill County SAR, Portland Mountain Rescue, Search One K9, American Medical Response Reach and Treat (RAT) Team, Clackamas County SAR and Posse, and Mountain Wave Emergency Communications. Teams collected over a pickup bed full of trash over the day-long event. Over 500 hours of volunteer service time was done just for the one day event.
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Multnomah County Deputies Seek a Different Kind of Tip
Sheriff's Office lends a hand to raise money for Special Olympics. Deputies, Reserves Deputies, Sergeants and Command Staff spent Saturday April 18th working along side wait staff at Red Robin for the annual Special Olympics Red Robin Tip-a-Cop fund raiser. Each year Law Enforcement agencies across the Country participate in fund raising events like Tip-a-cop to help raise awareness and funds to support Special Olympics. Sheriff's Office members donned aprons and a smile while helping with cleaning tables, serving non-alcoholic beverages, food and greeting customers. "The hope is we get out the message to support Special Olympics and have a chance to have a positive interaction with our community," said Sgt. Gullberg. The Sheriff's Office helped raised over $1700 and all proceeds go directly to Special Olympics. "This is such a great cause. We are very proud of partnership with Red Robin for this event and the great things Special Olympics provide all of our citizens."
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Sheriff Recognizes Exemplary Service
On Thursday May 14, 2009, the Sheriff recognized staff members and community partners who provide exemplary service The awards are presented each May to coincide with National Law Enforcement Week.
Way to GO!
For more detailed descriptions of the recipients and their awards and photos from the event, please visit our website. LETTERS OF COMMENDATION FSO Tim Benjamin Deputy Joseph R. Graziano Deputy Brent S. Laizure Deputy Chris Wagner
UNIT CITATION River Patrol Unit Auxiliary Services Unit Warrant Strike Team
The Unit Citation is awarded to agency unit members or to a community organization who bring credit to the Sheriff's Office while performing their duties in an exemplary manner.
CITATION Deputy Rick Coufal Deputy Mike Heffernan Deputy Bill King Deputy Scott Skipper Deputy Matt Ferguson Deputy Rian Hakala Larry Potter
The citation is awarded to a member or a citizen who performs his or her duties in an exemplary manner that brings credit to the Sheriff's Office.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Deputy Rick Coufal
This award is presented to a member or citizen who takes an active role in building a better community.
LIFESAVING AWARD Deputy Michael Lee Officer Jon Pemberton James F. Stolfa
Presented to a member or citizen who is directly responsible for saving a human life.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD Deputy Don Bryant
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an agency member or citizen who distinguishes himself or herself and brings credit to the Sheriff's Office by demonstrating a continuous pattern of excellence over an extended period of time. The quality of work must significantly rise above the expected norm of public service.
SHERIFF'S AWARD East County Major Crimes Team Deputy Todd Weber and K9 Varro
The Sheriff Award is awarded to a member or a citizen at the sheriff's discretion.
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Lost Seven but Gained Ten:
Sheriff SkipperRecalls Search for Rocky Butte Escapee's
In 1980, as detective commander, I experienced a jail escape wherein seven Federal fugitives overpowered a deputy at Rocky Butte Jail and gained the keys to access master control. US Marshal prisoner Steven Kessler was armed with a gun which had been smuggled into the jail. Kessler and the six additional inmates raced for control. While Deputy Irv Burkett called out on the radio for back-up he was shot and seriously injured by inmate Kessler. The seven fugitives fled. Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Patrol, Portland Police Department, FBI, Marshalls and ATF all joined the search. Lt. Dan Noelle from PPB and his Street Crimes Unit joined our MCSO detective team. One suspect was apprehended immediately near the Jail in the Gateway area, two additional inmates were found in a neighborhood just east of Rocky Butte Jail. We rounded up two more inmates staying with a girl friend, leaving the last two including Steven Kessler still on the loose. We checked with inmate cards and found number six had a relative in Arkansas. We placed a phone call to this small town and the Sheriff said "yes I know him and I know where his sister lives". The Sheriff drove to the sister's and sure enough found our inmate and arrested him, returning him to Multnomah County. Our remaining inmate was eventually located in Oklahoma City by the field office director and former Multnomah County Sergeant, Jim Weber.
During the middle of the investigation I was staying late to manage the phones and received a phone call asking if we would pay money for any of the escapees; I said yes we would. Another deputy and I arranged to meet the informant at a burger drive-in at 39th and S.E. Holgate. Once there I located the informant and purchased a burger for the three of us. The informant said there were three escapees in an apartment off Sandy Blvd near the Lloyd center. I agreed I would give him $50.00 if his information was good.
We contacted the Chair of the Board (former Sheriff Don Clark) and called for a cover car, we took the informant with us to point out the apartment. After we entered the apartment we found three escapees from the Oregon State Penitentiary; a bargain at $50.00.So while we had captured seven Rocky Butte Jail escapees we also captured three OSP escapees. We lost seven but got back ten escapees!
Steve Kessler is still doing time for his part in the Rocky Butte Jail escape and shooting.
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Calendar of Events
Multnomah County Fair Saturday May 23rd, Sunday May 24th and Monday May 25th. Alpenrose Dairy Special Olympics Little League Challenger event Saturday May 23rd
Corbett's annual fire department breakfast
Saturday June 13th |
Your Voice Makes a Difference
Thank you to the many citizens who have spoken at budget hearings in support of public safety and Sheriff's services. County Commissioners have many programs that they are trying to fund with limited resources. It is important that they hear from residents of Multnomah County on what services people need and how to prioritize those services. The Commissioners have raised concerns about cuts to the Sheriff's Office, in particular in the areas of drug investigation, warrant service and a program called Turn Self In Weekender which prevents people from serving their sentence in a jail bed. Your advocacy has been important in raising the discussion on Sheriff's services. You have shown that for many the Sheriff is the only 24/7 public safety and human services organization to assist in a time of crisis, and that the Commissioners need to place a high priority on the County's mandated public safety services. There is still time to be heard. There is one budget hearing left before the final budget vote on June 4, 2009. Tuesday, May 26 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Public Hearing on the 2009-2010 Multnomah County Budget, Multnomah Building, Commissioners Boardroom For more information on what services in the Sheriff's Office are cut please go HERE For information on the County budget and process please go HERE. |
Letter From Save Our Sheriff Posted in the Outlook
May 15, 2009 An open letter to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners: As our country developed and people moved West new towns developed and, after the organization of town leaders, the first person hired was a Sheriff to enforce laws and make sure the new settlements were a safe place to live and raise families. Today Public Safety, defined as the process of keeping peace, prosecuting the law breakers, and incarcerating them for correction and punishment, is still the number one priority of Government at any jurisdictional level including federal, state, county, and city.
Multnomah County has enjoyed a collaborative group of law enforcement agencies that have developed into an effective network of law enforcement that includes the cities' and the Sheriff's organizations. In times past, there were definite boundaries buffered by rural areas between cities and counties. Today, when you look at the Portland Metro area, there are no buffers of open land between cities or even between counties. Those who would perpetrate abuse and evil on our society have an advantage of crossing (at will) jurisdictional boundaries to commit crimes and to support their addictions. The increase in pressure of criminal elements in East County caused the cities of Gresham, Fairview, and Troutdale to take Public Safety levies to their voters last fall to try and augment their inadequate levels of policing. Because of bad timing with the severe downturn of the economy, the proposed levies of all three cities failed.
The Multnomah County Chair's proposed 2009/2010 budget will further exacerbate this problem with his proposed 12% budget cuts to the Sheriff, elimination of 18 prosecutors in the District Attorney's office, and further cuts in jail beds. This certainly does not flow with the idea that public safety is the number one priority of society. The Chair has a really tough job making budget decisions. Every year, for at least the last seven, the County has hacked away at the budget of law enforcement, taking another small piece of the organization that protects the law abiding and tax paying segment of Multnomah County. Long ago the County whittled away any fat in these organizations and is now cutting into the muscle, bones and sinews needed to ensure minimal practical operation of these agencies. In March 2009 the prestigious pollsters, Davis, Hibbitts, and Midghall performed a survey commissioned by Multnomah County and the City of Portland to determine how County residents feel about budget priorities.
- Q: When asked to "Build a Budget"?
A: Public Safety ranked #1
- Q: When asked what services should not be cut?
A: Preventing criminal activity ranked #1
- Q: When asked to rank Public Safety services?
A: The top combined selections were ranked
- Gangs crime
- Preventing crime with patrol
- Enforce Gang crimes, Drug crimes, and Person/Property crimes
- Property Crimes
Q: When asked to "Cut Services"? A: only 2% - 3% identify Public Safety
Full results of the survey can be viewed at www.SaveOurSheriffs.com. This opinion poll supports the concerns of the "Support Our Sheriffs" Coalition about the proposed budget cuts to the Sheriff's organization. This letter has been written by a coalition of representative citizens of concerned cities and communities in Multnomah County who either directly or indirectly rely on the services of the sheriff's office. We humbly implore the Multnomah County Commissioners to restore the budget for the Sheriff's support activities that include the following:
- Special Investigations Unit (SIU) - over the past three years the SIU has removed from the streets $26 million of seized drugs, made 665 felony arrests, taken guns off the street and performed 600 dangerous drug investigations. The elimination of this team means there will be no drug enforcement in unincorporated Multnomah County, cities east of 162nd and west of the city of Portland to the outskirts of Scappoose, including Sauvie Island.
- East Metro Gang Enforcement - in 2008 the team had 14,400 mission-driven contacts resulting in 162 felony arrests
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Warrant Strike Team - the Sheriff is statutorily responsible for service of warrants in the county.
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Child Abuse Team Representative - in 2008 the team comprised Portland, Gresham, and Sheriff's Detectives who reviewed 4,500 police reports, plus an additional 13,805 Department of Human Resources Reports.
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Gresham Temporary Hold (GTH) - GTH offers local booking for East Metro cities and the Sheriff and frees up time for increased patrol. Every booking at GTH frees up one hour additional patrol time.
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Turn Self In Program - Approximately 55 people a day serve their sentences at the courthouse. TSI sentences allow lower level offenders who have jobs to maintain employment.
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Counselors in the Jails - Corrections counselors help offenders return to community and reduce recidivism.
Respectfully, Support Our Sheriff Coalition Support Our Sheriff Coalition endorsed by the East Metro Economic Alliance, Columbia River Gorge Visitor Association, West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce, NE Multnomah County Community Association, residents, businesses, and elected officials from Dunthorpe, Maywood Park, Fairview, Corbett-Springdale, Sauvie Island, Skyline Ridge, the River Community, Gresham, Troutdale and Wood Village Councils. For a complete list visit www.SaveOurSheriffs.com.
Phyllis Thiemann, President Columbia River Gorge Visitors Association Alice Freuler, Executive Director, West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce Steve Vanier, VP, Economic Development, West Columbia Gorge Chamber David Fuller, Manager Wal-Mart Super Center Rick Scarpac, Assistant Manager, Wal-Mart Super Center Bruce Young, Olinger Travel Homes Rick Juilfs, Manager Willamette-Graystone Pooneh Gray, Riverside Living, Brad Fudge, All-Stor Storage Condominiums Larry Calhoun, President Phoenix Machine & Design, Inc. Jerry Hinton, President Brashers Cascade Auto Auction Jay Marquess, Manager, Brasher's Auto & Truck Collision Repair Larry & Michelle Haage, Smart Lighting Solutions, LLC Heather Soderberg, Soderberg Bronze Works, Inc. Bob Deveny, Vladvark Media Joseph Stupak, President Oersted Technology Wood Village Baptist Church Casey Ryan Northeast Multnomah County Community Association Stuart Lindquist, Dunthorpe Julie Cieloha, Sauvie Island Miles Merwin, President Skyline Ridge Jan Hamer, The River Community Glenn Putnam, Corbett - Springdale Mayor Mark Hardie, Maywood Park Councilor Larry Cooper, City of Fairview East Metro Economic Alliance Gresham City Council Troutdale City Council Wood Village City Council |
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; recent news articles or updates you may have missed.
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Your opinions, questions and concerns are important to us. If you would like to comment on any of MCSO service(s), or any article you have read in this newsletter please click HERE. Or Email us HERE |
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