The Green Hornet

 MCSO eNewsletter

 
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WINTER 2012
 
winter landscape
In this issue
Sheriff's Letter
2012 Polar Plunge
Traffic Law Fine Changes
Run For Hyron Horman
2011 Grand Jury Report
Toy Drive
Motorcycle Stunt Team
Twitter With Us
River Patrol Outstanding Member
New Hires and Promotions
Principal Sheriff
7th Annual Citizen's Academy
MCSO Installs Drug Drop Off

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Sheriff Staton

 

 

A young woman was brought into our jail last week on theft III charges under the name Jane Doe. She didn't speak English and was almost completely deaf and mute. Having no previous record, she was released, much to the concern of the line staff working at the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC). Medical and Records staff offered to pay for her cab fare but didn't know where to send her. She didn't know where she was and could only communicate with hand gestures.

 

Corrections-Record Technician Ansley Dennison-Bernatz called a couple of her friends who deal with refugees. After being unable to find help in their own agencies, they decided to come down and talk to her personally. Through hand gestures, simple drawings and a great deal of effort on everyone's part, the two women drove this young girl to a neighborhood where there were several Burmese refugees, hoping to find her family. A missing persons report was discovered and the family was reunited with her, thanks to the outstanding efforts of everyone involved. The family has now been connected to agencies who have assisted them with much needed supplies and contacts. When the store owner heard the story, he offered to give her baby bottles.

 

I would like to say thank you to Corrections Record Technician Ansley Dennison-Bernatz, Intake Sergeant Andre Scott, Classification Deputy Janet Bowdle, Counselor Larissa Handy, Classification Deputy Sharon Huffstutter, Corrections Deputy Phillip Nguyen, Records Supervisor Roseanna Fleming, On-Call Recog Officer Madi Molitor, Enforcement Deputy Keith Bickford, Records Technicians Judy Burman and Adrian Phan and any others I may not have mentioned, for going above and beyond your daily duties and assisting one of our community members in crisis. Events like this, reiterate how proud I am to be part of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.

 

 

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     Daniel Staton

 

 

 


2012 Polar Plunge!
Are you ready?!



Come join MCSO All Stars to support Oregon Special Olympics on Saturday February 11, 2012. http://www.plungeoregon.com/index.html



 

 

TRAFFIC LAW CHANGES AND TRAFFIC FINE REVISIONS FOR 2012 

 

On January 1, 2012 several traffic laws that had been revised by the 2011 Oregon State Legislature went into effect.  Most notable in the group of revised traffic statutes was Oregon's "Hands-Free Cell Phone Law."  Up until January 1, 2012, a person operating a motor vehicle in Oregon was allowed to use a communications device without a "hands-free device" if the communications device was necessary for their employment. 

 

This law now makes it illegal for anyone operating a motor vehicle to use a mobile communications device without a hands-free device such as a blue-tooth headset or a cell phone mount in the vehicle that allows the driver to speak without having to hold the mobile communications device.  The only persons exempt from this requirement are drivers summoning emergency assistance, emergency workers, roadside assistance and tow operators, and utility operators.  A complete summary of the amended law can be found at the link below:

 

http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measpdf/hb3100.dir/hb3186.en.pdf

 

MCSO deputies would like to remind you that it is illegal for anyone to text while operating a motor vehicle.  It is also still illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile communications device, even if they have a hands-free device.  The fine for Operating a Motor Vehicle while using a Mobile Communications Device in Oregon is $110.

 

Traffic fines in Highway Work Zones, School Zones and certain Traffic Safety Corridors have also increased effective January 1, 2012.  Drivers cited for violations within these special zones can receive fines between $220 and $870, depending on the traffic violation.  Also amended for 2012 is the minimum fine for anyone caught driving over 100 miles per hour.  Drivers cited for this offense face a fine of at least $1,150 and a mandatory 30-day suspension of their license by the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles.

 

If you have any questions about these or any other traffic laws, you can call the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office at 503-255-3600, extension 0 and ask to speak to a deputy. 

 

-Sgt. Bryan White  

 

 

More than 20 MCSO members participated in Run for Kyron Horman.

 

 

On November 12, 2011, Uberthons sponsored an all day event to support Kyron Horman.  This event had a children-only race , a step into fitness 1K, professionally timed 5K and 10K races, and multiple volunteer opportunities. This race was a chance for runners and walkers to join the community in supporting the Horman family and to bring continued awareness to finding Kyron. For final results, please  visit Uberthon

Sheriff Staton Responds to the 2011 Grand Jury Report

Dear Mr. Schrunk,

 

Thank you for the 2011 Corrections Grand Jury Report. We appreciate the thoughtful review the Grand Jury completes each year regarding conditions and management of the jails within Multnomah County. We are also pleased to receive recommendations from the Grand Jury regarding both things we are doing well and areas where it is perceived improvement is needed. As with previous Grand Jury reports, we will review the recommendations submitted by the 2011 Corrections Grand Jury and identify those appropriate for immediate implementation, those needing further analysis prior to action being taken, and those either impractical to address or outside of the Sheriff's direct control to affect.

 


Toy Drive was a HUGE Success! Thank You!


 

This year's Troutdale PD/MCSO toy drive at Walmart was a huge success. Over four weekends, we collected 226 bags of toys which is 45 more than last year.  These toys were distributed to identified needy families in East Multnomah County by SnowCap. A sincere thank you to the  MCSO personnel who volunteered their time to help with this important event.

 

Sgt. Travis Gullberg

 

Our Stunt Team History



MCSO has a long fascinating history in Multnomah County. One particularly thrilling time was between the late 1930's until the early 1960's, when our Sheriff's Office operated a Reserve Motorcycle Stunt Team!

For the complete story, follow this link to the Multnomah County website which includes two rarely seen films.

River Patrol Deputy Recognized as Law Enforcement's Outstanding Member


 

 

On October 27th,  River Patrol Unit Deputy Kevin McAfee was presented with the Law Enforcement Division's "Outstanding Member of the Quarter Award" by Chief Deputy Jason Gates.  Dep. McAfee was selected for the award for his role in two RPU calls in September.

 

Early on the morning of September 4th, Dep. McAfee responded to Oxbow Park to assist Patrol Unit deputies with a search for four missing rafters on the Sandy River. The rafters had been missing for over ten hours and were ill-equipped for the weather conditions. Dep. McAfee, along with Dep. McDowell, arrived at the park in time to assist medical personnel with the rescue of the first rafter on the east bank of the river.

 

After ensuring the first rafter was cared for, Dep. McAfee headed upriver along SE Lusted Rd. to look for an access point to the Sandy River near Indian John Island to begin searching for the remaining rafters. Shortly after finding a good access point, Dep. McAfee located the remaining rafters on the island. Dep. McAfee donned his dry suit and swam across the channel to the island to being administering first aid. After determining the three were in fair condition, Dep. McAfee assisted the group to the east bank of the river and then helped them walk down river to a safe location where fire personnel were able to pick them up in a raft. Thanks in large part to the professionalism and expertise of Dep. McAfee, the family members of these four rafters were able to reunite with their loved ones.

 

On September 6th, Dep. McAfee assisted the Clark County Sheriff's Office with the removal of a submerged vehicle that was causing a hazard in the Columbia River. Dep. McAfee volunteered to deploy in scuba gear after learning that the Clark County Dive Team was several minutes away from deploying. His willingness to take on the mission with limited assistance and resources led to the successful recovery of the vehicle, as well as the appreciation of the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

 

Congratulations to Deputy Kevin McAfee for being recognized as the Law Enforcement Division's "Outstanding Member of the Quarter" for the third quarter of 2011.

 

-Sgt. Bryan White

We Are Growing!

This season we have had three new hire and promotion ceremonies. Welcome to MCSO!

Eileen Johnson, Hans Urhausen, Shea Marshman,
Jon Burnett, Phyllis Heaverlo, Sheriff Staton


Marie McNee, Mark Evans, Kevin Doriss



Christopher Yungeberg, Joshua Britton, Sergeant Sean Mallory, Sheriff Dan Staton 
Sheriff AND Principal?

You bet! In November,  Sheriff Dan Staton was principal for the day at East Gresham Grade School. We think he made a lot of new friends that day.




     

7th Annual Citizen's Academy Graduated

Chief Deputy Brosh, Graduate Chad, Chief Deputy Gates
 

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office completed its 7th Annual Multnomah County Citizen's Academy this Fall. The Citizen's Academy is a twelve week program designated to provide a working knowledge and background of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and to foster a closer relationship between our agency and the communities it serves.  

 

It is an opportunity for citizens to learn more about their local law enforcement, ask questions, and gain a more thorough understanding of the inner workings of MCSO. The academy conveys a means for participants and police personnel to share information and ideas about law enforcement. The academy also provides a conduit for improved community/law enforcement relationships, enhanced cooperation, and reduced stereotyping.  

 

This was the first year MCSO actually had more applicants than spaces available for the class due to the growing popularity within the community. MCSO graduated 30 participants from the program. This year's Citizen's Academy included overviews of Investigation units, Human Trafficking, Drugs to Mugs (MCSO produced presentation), tour of the Multnomah County Detention Center, participation in Range 3000 (Use of Force scenarios) and a ride-along with River Patrol and Patrol.   

  

If you are interested in participating next time, please view our website.  

 

  

Lt. Alexander

 

 

Prescription Drugs Drop Off Box Installed at MCSO's Hansen  Building

 

   

 

A new collection box is at the ready for people who want to safely get rid of their unused prescription medication.

 

The drug collection box is in the lobby of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Hansen Building, 12240 N.E. Glisan St., Portland.

 

The box is part of a prescription drug collection program that's a partnership between the sheriff's office and the Oregon High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program.

 

The program offers the public a way to anonymously deposit expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs as part of an effort to battle the growing trend among teens and adults of prescription drug abuse.

 

It also gives people a safer, healthier alternative to flushing such drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the garbage.

 

The program is free and anonymous.

 

Household medication is accepted in any form, including expired, unused or unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, including pet medications.

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