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Mental Health Response Team Wins Award!
Your Sheriff's Office is honored to be the
2015 Cameron Award recipient from Vision Action Network of Washington County. The award recognized the Washington County Mental Health Response Team (MHRT), a collaborative effort between the Sheriff's Office, Washington County Mental Health, and Lifeworks Northwest.
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In 2014, the Mental Health Response Team responded to more than 3,500 service calls.
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This unique program pairs a deputy and mental health clinician in a patrol vehicle. They respond as a team to incidents involving people suffering from mental illness or emotional crisis. Combining a deputy and a clinician as "first responders," enables them to better identify and reduce costly interventions, such as a jail or hospital stay. It also minimizes the risk of an incident escalating. The team is on duty seven days a week.
They also work to prevent further incidents by following up with people to ensure they are connected to the services and support they need. As incidents involving mental health crisis continue to increase, MHRT continues to be a valued resource for all law enforcement agencies in Washington County.
 In addition to the specialized skills of MHRT, all Washington County deputies receive crisis intervention training. This partnership between the Sheriff's Office and the Mental Health Department has changed the culture of both agencies.
Deputies and clinicians now more effectively collaborate and recognize the contributions each makes to improve public safety. The impacts are seen even further as deputies apply their mental health knowledge and skills in other roles, such as school resource officers, tactical responders, and investigators.
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We are honored to be recipients of the 2015 Cameron Award.
A working relationship between mental health and law enforcement results in a safer community for all. I want individuals and families in crisis to know that we are here to help in their time of need.
Our commitment begins on patrol, continues in the jail, and is available after individuals are released back into the community.
~ Sheriff Pat Garrett |
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Who Will Win "Top Dog" at the K-9 Trials?
Saturday, June 20, 2015
 Last year, your Sheriff's K-9 Unit responded to over 650 incidents. To help ensure a high rate of success and longevity, new "recruits" are specially bred and trained. Each handler and dog must complete a minimum of 400 hours of training and pass the Oregon Police Canine Association Standards prior to being deployed.
Last year, Deputy Micah Akin* was proud that his K-9 partner, Stark, took the "Top Dog" award for having the fastest time in all six events. Come join us - it is free for the whole family!
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Safety Fair and K-9 Trials
This Saturday, June 20
Safety Fair: 10 am to noon
K-9 Competition: 11 am to 2 pm
Washington County Fairgrounds
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Inmate Work Crews Help Improve Our Fairgrounds
Inmates worked at the Washington County Fairgrounds to help revitalize the horse arena by painting the entire fence line! By the end of the summer, inmates will have contributed about 210 labor hours at the fairgrounds, at no cost to the community.
The fairgrounds will be hosting the Washington County 4-H Horse Fair June 28 - July 1, and the Washington County Fair runs July 30 - August 1. So if you are craving elephant ears and corn dogs, come to the fair and visit your Sheriff's Office booth. You can also check out the recent improvements by our inmate workers!
 
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Marijuana Legalization Update
Everyone is wondering what the rules will be on July 1, when marijuana legalization goes into effect. Here are the answers we have at this point from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, the agency responsible for rule making.
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Clarifying Senate Bill 941 on Firearms Transfers
Mental Health Provisions
 Last month, we told you about SB 941, the new law that will require background investigations for firearms transfers beginning August 9, 2015. We received a couple of questions from mental health providers asking for clarification about when their clients might be disqualified from having or purchasing a firearm under the new law.
The new law applies when a court issues an order requiring a person to engage in assisted outpatient mental health treatment because they are a danger to self or others. The order also must prohibit the person from purchasing or possessing a firearm during the period of treatment.
When that type of order is signed, the court will send a copy of the order to the county sheriff for entry into the Law Enforcement Data System. While the order is in effect, the person will not be legally entitled to purchase or possess a firearm, and will also not be eligible to have or obtain a concealed handgun license.
Once the court order ends, the firearm restriction will no longer prevent the person from possessing firearms nor from having a concealed handgun license.
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 Is "Lane-Splitting" Legal? Not in Oregon
There is a bill in the Oregon legislature that would make "lane-sharing" legal. (It is also called "lane-splitting" or "filtering.")
The proposed lane-sharing law would allow two-wheeled motorcycles or mopeds to travel between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic.
This concept is legal in some states. California is one, but not Oregon.
Again, THIS IS NOT LEGAL in Oregon at this time. (A citation for Failure to Drive Within a Lane, ORS 811.370, carries a fine of $260.)
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Good Neighbors and Fireworks Can Mix
I am Patrol Commander John Koch, and I want to wish you a fun-filled Fourth of July!
Many of us celebrate the Fourth of July with parades, barbecues with friends, outdoor games, and fireworks after dark. Our patrol deputies have one pretty simple request for everyone: Please be a good neighbor.
Consider where you are celebrating and what is reasonable for the area. If neighbors are close, move a loud party indoors when it gets late and stop the noisy fireworks. Or maybe choose a less populated location for your party.
That's all. Just keep it legal, keep it safe, and be thoughtful of your neighbors when it gets late.
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Community News
Pursuit in Western Washington County
06-06-15 -- Banks to Forest Grove -- Just after 11 pm, deputies responded to the report of a small vehicle that knocked over a highway sign near milepost 54 in Banks. North Plains PD assisted in finding the vehicle, and the suspect vehicle decided to elude police, reaching speeds of at least 90 mph. Forest Grove police joined the pursuit which lasted about 30 minutes until the suspect was able to get away.
 At 11:56 pm, deputies went to the home of the vehicle's registered owner, but the suspect was not there. Deputies learned the suspect was staying at a home in Forest Grove. When they arrived at that home, the suspect was seen fleeing on foot, and deputies gave chase. Deputies captured the suspect, who was arrested and taken to our jail on multiple charges. Nice team-work by all agencies!
Burglary at Bi-Mart
06-14-15 -- Aloha -- At 3:23 am, deputies were dispatched to an audible alarm at Bi-Mart on SW 185th Avenue. Dispatch confirmed that it was a burglary in progress. When deputies arrived, the suspect was gone. Video footage showed the suspect wearing dark, heavy clothing, gloves, and a face covering. The suspect was also carrying a messenger-style bag and a yellow crowbar.
The suspect stole over 6,200 tabs of Oxycodone and over 200 tabs of Adderall. If you have information about this case, please call non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.
Suspect Brandishing Gun Arrested
06-17-15 -- Aloha -- A man reported that a neighbor pointed a gun at him. Several deputies arrived and contained the area. The suspect was pacing with a rifle and pointed it at his chin. He racked the rifle several times and made suicidal statements. He said he wanted to give up, but then loaded a magazine of ammunition into the rifle. Eventually, he gave up. Deputies discovered an SKS rifle with one round in the chamber, a full magazine, and several rounds staged throughout the yard. The round in the SKS appeared to have jammed. He was taken into custody on multiple charges.
Sheriff's Office Media Releases
Washington County has many summer road projects in the works. Visit www.wc-roads.com for the latest road updates.
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 America's Night Out Against Crime Now Taking Online Requests!
National Night Out is an annual community-building event that encourages neighborhood camaraderie to promote a safer, better place to live. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, August 4.
This year, your Sheriff's Office will celebrate National Night Out in two ways. We will attend your neighborhood parties, and we are teaming with other community partners to host several large celebrations for the public.
Many local events are already being planned in communities such as Aloha, Cornelius, Metzger Park, North Plains, Oak Hills, and Rock Creek!
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 Where Have Deputies Been Working?
Find Out Through Crime Reports Online
This link to Crime Reports automatically opens with a view of all requests for police service (except traffic) in unincorporated Washington County during the last 30 days.
- Click on this link.
- Enter your address to view your area.
- If you live in Banks, Cornelius or Gaston, type your city in this format: "Cornelius, OR".
- Click on map markers to view call details.
- Use the Advanced Search to change time periods, add traffic data, etc.
Keep in mind, these are requests for police service, not confirmed crimes.
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A man was standing in front of a local convenience store when witnesses heard a loud "bang." The man noted, "dang fireworks," and limped all the way home. He told a neighbor he had been shot in the leg at the store, and the neighbor called police. When deputies arrived at the man's house, they saw a handgun behind a flower pot by the front door. It turns out, that gun had been reported stolen.  What really happened? The investigation revealed that fireworks were not to blame for the "bang". The man had shot himself in the leg with the stolen gun . . . TWICE! After medical personnel escorted the man to the hospital, deputies escorted him to jail. He was charged with Felon in Possession of Weapons, Unlawful Possession of Firearms, Theft I, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Initiating a False Report. |
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We Wish You A Fun and Safe 4th of July
The Fourth of July is on a Saturday this year, so get ready for barbecues with friends and family, and fireworks displays!
Everyone has their favorite backyard fireworks. Some whistle, and some are fountains with a rainbow of colors. Whether you plan to use a few sparklers or have a whole spectacle of fireworks, remember that legal fireworks do not go BOOM!
Here is an easy-to-follow guide on what is allowed in Oregon and how your family can safely celebrate Independence Day.
More than anything, our deputies hope that you will set a good example for your kids. Celebrate safely, keep it legal, and consider enjoying a community event.
Community Fireworks Shows
- Banks has a great display each year at the Sunset Speedway.
- Forest Grove has an event sponsored by the Firefighters Association.
- North Plains will be hosting an old-fashioned "Wild West Celebration."
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This Month's "Most Wanted"
The following people are wanted for committing crimes. Do not approach them.
If you see them or have information to share with law enforcement, please call the Sheriff's 24-Hour Records Office at (503) 846-2700 or non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.
Wanted flyers are online - click on a photo or visit:
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