Sheriff's Office News
Sheriff Garrett on Federal Immigration

In my role as President of the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association (OSSA), I worked recently with the 35 other Oregon sheriffs to write a statement about President Trump's January 25, 2017 Executive Order on Immigration. Our collective goal is to help reassure Oregon residents that our local practices remain unchanged. 
 
Simply put, current Oregon law and a binding Federal District Court decision prohibit local (state, county, and city) law enforcement from enforcing immigration law. The law and court decision also prevent local police from holding people on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests, unless signed by a federal magistrate.

Community trust is a cornerstone of law enforcement. Our focus remains on protecting everyone in our community, holding offenders accountable, and preventing and solving crimes. This includes ensuring all victims that they can call police for help, regardless of their immigration status.
 
Your Oregon sheriffs are each elected by the people and stand ready to answer your questions about law enforcement in your county.  Full legal analysis.

Thank you,



Sheriff Pat Garrett 
Detectives Seek the Public's Help with Identifying Stolen Jewelry

On February 14, deputies arrested two suspects in Aloha who were in possession of over 100 stolen items of jewelry. The owners of about half of the items have been identified, but others remain unclaimed. The remaining items may have been stolen from burglaries in other areas.

Detective Tony Bass is asking anyone who has had jewelry stolen recently to look at photos of the unclaimed items. If you believe an item is yours, you can fill-out a claim form online.

Owners should claim their property, even if they do not want the items back. 

Please visit www.helpidproperty.com to view all photos and access online claim forms.
 
 
Inmate Assaults in 2016 -- You May Be Surprised


You probably have never been in jail, but like most people, you have an idea of what jail is like. You will be glad to know there is a big difference between the prisons featured on TV and your local county jail.

Different from prisons, county jails receive inmates at the time of arrest when their behaviors are the least predictable and often influenced by drugs, alcohol, and stress.



You may be surprised to know that in 2016 . . .
  • We booked 17,111 inmates
     
  • Inmates received formal discipline for misconduct 745 times
     
  • Inmates assaulted staff 19 times, most often spitting or throwing bodily fluids at deputies
     
  • Inmates assaulted other inmates 35 times -- these are most often physical altercations
Most impressive, the typical assault in our jail lasts for 30 seconds or less.
Even with a Concealed Handgun License, Where Can I Not Carry a Firearm?

Oregon law provides very few limits on where a person with a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) can carry a firearm, and federal laws contain a few more prohibitions. Even if you have a CHL, you cannot carry a firearm on any of the following properties: 

Federal facilities.  Federal courthouses, social security offices, in secured areas of airports, and on airplanes.

National forests.  If marked or posted by signs prohibiting all firearms.

Designated wilderness areas.  If a specific declaration has enacted a restriction or prohibition of firearms.

Indian reservations or Indian property.  You may not carry a firearm concealed without the written permission of the tribal judge; this may also apply to certain casinos on Indian lands. We advise people to contact the individual tribe to determine what the current rules are for that location.

Courts.  In a courtroom, jury room, judge's chambers or adjacent areas that the presiding judge determines should be free of firearms to ensure the safety of the litigants, court personnel, witnesses and others.

Private property.  Where the owner prohibits firearms possession.

Washington County Jail.  No person may bring a firearm, weapon or other contraband into the secure perimeter of the Washington County Jail, and all visitors to the jail must go through a security screening and metal detector. Knowingly introducing contraband into a correctional facility is a Class C felony.  Visit the Sheriff's Concealed Handgun License Unit website.
Clear Out Unwanted Prescription Drugs From Your Home


Get a jump start on spring cleaning -- consider cleaning out your medicine cabinets! 

 

At Sheriff's Office Locations

You can dispose of old unneeded medications at one of several drug drop box sites near you.  Residents can easily turn in prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, pet medications, and medicated ointments. Generally, you can access the drug drop box from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.  

 

At Home
If you cannot make it to a local drug drop box, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends the following:
  1. Mix medicines (do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such as dirt, kitty litter, or used coffee grounds.
  2. Place the mixture in a container, such as a sealed plastic bag.
  3. Throw the container in your household trash.
  4. Scratch out all personal information on the prescription label of your empty pill bottle or empty medicine packaging to make it unreadable, then dispose of the container.
While You Were Sleeping . . . 
A Glimpse into Two Hours Patrolling on Graveyard Shift, January 29, 2017

12:02 a.m. - Welfare Check - A woman received a call from an unknown man saying he was "going to hunt her down and kill her." It turns out the phone number was traced to a man who admitted to being extremely drunk, dialing a number at random.

12:36 a.m. - Disturbance - A security guard at a business complex was assaulted by two unknown Hispanic men in their late thirties. Deputies were able to capture and arrest one suspect, but the other got away. The security guard declined medical attention.

12:42 a.m. - Noise Complaint - A caller from Aloha complained about loud "bass music" blaring from a neighbor's house. The neighbor was having a party and was given a warning.

12:45 a.m. - Noise Complaint - Two miles south of the previous noise complaint, a second one was reported. This neighbor was also having a huge party and was given a warning.

1:16 a.m. - Alarm - A deputy responded to a house alarm going off. Upon inspection of the home's perimeter, there were no signs of anything suspicious. The deputy knocked and rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. It was determined to be a false alarm.

1:18 a.m. - Harassment - A woman reported her ex-boyfriend wouldn't stop calling and texting her -- he had also been arrested and lodged in jail the previous night for harassing her. He was arrested for violating his release agreement and sent to jail (again).

1:25 a.m. - Traffic Stop - A deputy initiated a traffic stop because he witnessed a vehicle drive against a curb and complete an improper U-turn. There were no indicators of driver impairment; the driver was given a warning.

1:27 a.m. - Traffic Stop - A deputy performed a traffic stop on a bicyclist. The bicyclist did not have any lights on, so it was a safety hazard. The bicyclist was educated and given a warning.

1:32 a.m. - Suspicious Vehicle - While patrolling, a deputy noticed a vacant vehicle parked with its dome light on. The grateful owner was notified and immediately turned off the vehicle's interior light.

1:40 a.m. - Traffic Stop - A deputy pulled over a pickup truck driving at a high rate of speed near the Interstate 5 and Highway 217 interchange. The driver had watery eyes, slurry speech, and an alcoholic odor emanating from his clothing. The driver failed his field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUII.

2:15 a.m. - Assist Public - A security guard at a Raleigh Hills business claimed he may have seen someone hold up a gun and try to get into the business through the locked front door. Deputies searched all surrounding properties for 30 minutes but could not locate the suspect.
Have You Ever Wanted to Help But Didn't Know How?
Resources for People in Need 

211 Info
Did you know that 211 Info is a nonprofit organization that provides resource referrals on health and social service programs in Oregon and Southwest Washington? This organization assists people with food, housing, and economic opportunity. Dial 211, text your zip code to 898211, or visit their website.

Severe Winter Weather Shelters
This winter has brought some very cold days and nights. Washington County publishes a list of Severe Weather Shelters for the public.

Community Connect
Community Connect is a coordinated entry system that helps people experiencing homelessness, or at imminent risk of homelessness, find housing resources in our county. Community Connect assesses the individual's needs to determine the best housing and service programs. Call (503) 640-3263.

COMMUNITY NEWS



Sheriff's Media Releases

  











Suspicious Man Grabs Woman at MAX Station - Beaverton
01/31/17 - About 8 p.m., a woman reported a suspicious man she had encountered twice in two weeks. The suspect attempted to grab her by her throat near the Millikan Way MAX Station in Beaverton, but she was able to run away from him. Days later, the same man followed the woman from that MAX station. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his thirties, 5 '10", 175 pounds, with short, black hair. He was last seen wearing a black sweater with beige pants. Please call non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111 if you have any information that may help deputies locate this man.

Man Uses Fake Money at Multiple Businesses - Cedar Mill
02/06/17 - At 7 p.m., a deputy responded to a fraud report from the Walgreens on NW Cornell Road. The suspect attempted to use fake $50 bills in order to get change back. This same suspect has tried to use fake money at multiple businesses around the Cedar Mill area. The suspect is described as a black man, 30-40 years old, bald, medium build, 5'10", and last seen wearing a red sweater with gray stripes and black pants. Please call non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111 if you have any information that may help deputies find this man. 

Suspicious Vehicle Follows Woman Walking Her Dog - Aloha
02/19/17 - At 6:44 p.m., a woman reported a suspicious vehicle following her while she was walking her dog around the neighborhood. The vehicle shined its high beams at her while parked in the middle of the road. The driver then passed by her, yelling something, but she could not make out what he was saying since the car window was rolled up. The vehicle is described as an early 2000 (or so) dark colored Honda or Toyota sedan with a gold front emblem. The driver is described as a white man in his late twenties with a stocky build and shoulder-length curly hair. The woman noticed that once she started talking on her cell phone, the man drove away. Please call non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111 if you have any information that may help deputies identify this driver.
  
Local Road News

Turn Around . . . Don't Drown!
Remember, if you see a flooded roadway, all it takes is 12 inches of fast moving water to sweep your vehicle away. Don't take the risk.


Other News
Visit the Search and Rescue website
WANTED: Explorer Search and Rescue Applicants!

Do you know a great kid who is ready to serve our community while learning teamwork and leadership skills that will last a lifetime?

Your Sheriff's Office Explorer Post 877 is the primary Search and Rescue team for Washington County. Explorers are young men and women, ages 14 to 21, who have received extensive and challenging training.

Learn more by attending one of two informational meetings for applicants and their parents:

Monday, March 20, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.   -or-
Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

We'll see you at the Sheriff's Office second floor training room in Hillsboro.
"Colors 4 Kiddos" and Doernbecher Thank You!

Madison and Jacob Heldt (wearing pink) with hospital staff
In December, we asked you to help support Colors 4 Kiddos, a program that provides donated items to brighten the days of children staying at Doernbecher Children's Hospital.

Colors 4 Kiddos is the great idea of Madison Heldt, the child of a Sheriff's Office employee, who holds donation drives for coloring supplies and toys to be donated to these children.

The results are in:  Colors 4 Kiddos delivered 538 coloring books, 493 sets of crayons, 5 boxes of school supplies, 40 DVDs, 25 book bags, and $100 in Barnes and Noble gift cards. Thank you for your supporting Colors 4 Kiddos!
Where Have Deputies Been Working?

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 and enter an address
     
  • For Banks, Cornelius, or Gaston, type the city in this format: "Banks, OR"
     
  • Click on map markers to view call details
     
  • Use the Filter to change time periods, add traffic data, etc.

    Keep in mind - these are requests for police services, not confirmed crimes.
Believe it or Not!
Smile for a "Selfie"

Sheriff's deputies were alerted by Seaside Police that three suspects in a Seaside burglary and car theft were trying to use a stolen credit card at a gas station in North Plains. 

A deputy responded and spotted the stolen car traveling eastbound on Highway 26 near NW 185th Avenue. Assisted by Beaverton Police, deputies attempted a traffic stop on the car, but the suspects decided to lead police in a pursuit. Police stopped pursuing the vehicle for safety reasons. 
 
A short time later, 911 calls from residents flooded in to report a group of suspicious people abandoning a vehicle on a residential street and running in different directions. Beaverton and Hillsboro Police assisted deputies with surrounding the area. A female, age 20, and a male, age 22, were detained.

How did police know they had the right suspects?  Inside the stolen car, deputies recovered a stolen camera with a photograph of all three suspects taking a "selfie" while driving the car.

The foolish felons were lodged in the jail on multiple charges, but the third suspect, seen in the photo wearing a black hat, is still wanted. If you have any information regarding this case, please call non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.
Believe it or Not!
Impaired by Alcohol . . . and a Truck Hood 

Late at night, a deputy stopped a truck because the driver suddenly came to a dead stop in the middle of Farmington Road. When the deputy approached the truck and asked the driver to roll down his window, the smell of alcohol emanated from the driver. When asked for identification, the driver handed the deputy his diversion paperwork for an earlier DUII by mistake. Ooops.

The driver agreed to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. He said he stopped because his truck hood flew open and completely impaired his view of the roadway.

This driver failed sobriety tests, had a blood alcohol content of 0.12%, and was lodged in jail for his second DUII in 2 years.  A second DUII conviction in 10 years enhances the consequences from a misdemeanor to a felony conviction.
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 non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.



Wanted flyers are online - click on a photo or visit:  

Washington County Sheriff's Office, Hillsboro, Oregon
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