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MCSO eNewsletter
and Public Safety Agency
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Sheriff's Message
 | | Sheriff Daniel Staton |
Recent media events have triggered an energized and sometimes reactive dialogue regarding gun control
in our country. As a result, our Office received multiple inquiries as to our position on gun control and the Second Amendment generally. The following statement was released on January 17th, and I am sharing it with you in this issue of the Green Hornet.
The first line of my Oath of Office is that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and I have and intend to continue to do that very thing. I support the rights of citizens granted by the Constitution, and have worked hard to ensure those rights are protected. This work has been both locally and through work with other Sheriff's at the state legislature, where I have supported rights to privacy for concealed handgun holders in my county, and tougher screening of concealed handgun applicants overall.
I do not, however, plan to make any immediate change of policy or practice with regard to recent reports I have heard of gun control measures proposed by elected officials locally or nationally. No change in the practices of this Office will come without both a clear understanding of the measures proposed or enacted into law, or a chance to hear back from the citizens of Multnomah County regarding these proposals. Nor do I believe that a fast-tracked approach will be effective in improving what is a very complex issue in our country.
I am personally shocked and saddened by the recent events that have brought these issues front and center, and I will be engaged with my fellow elected officials, public safety partners and the citizens of this county as we thoughtfully consider what measures might be taken to curb the violence seen in these recent events.
Sincerely,
Daniel Staton
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2013 Polar Plunge!
Are you ready?!
In 2012 MCSO All Stars raised $9,100 for Special Olympics Oregon. Over 50 MCSO All Stars took the plunge last year, come join the MCSO All Stars in supporting Special Olympics Oregon on Saturday February 9, 2013. Come check out the MCSO All Stars team page and other team pages at www.PlungeOregon.com Join us and help us support Special Olympics Oregon!
 | Sheriff Staton leads the 2012 MCSO All Stars getting ready to plunge!
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Community Transitional School Holiday Party
For the 23rd year in a row, the Sheriff's Office hosted a holiday party for the school children from the Community Transitional School on Friday, December 14, 2012 at the Multnomah County Inverness Jail. The Community Transitional School's mission is to provide kindergarten through 8th grade education to the children of homeless families.
 | | BJ the clown performs for the children! |
As part of this annual holiday tradition within the Sheriff's Office, wreaths are placed at all of MCSO's worksites with name tags of Community Transitional School children in need. MCSO staff select name tags from the wreath and return wrapped gifts for the child or children they adopt for the party to help bring cheer to their holiday season. MCSO staff and families also work to seek donations of toys, clothing, and other items to not only provide the best possible party and holiday for the kids, but also to meet the actual needs of the school year-round.
This year the Multnomah County Circuit Court Judges donated dozens of boxes of new tennis shoes to the Community Transitional School to give to school children throughout the year who are in need of replacements and are unable to provide their own. The Wilson High School Leadership group made a large donation of clothing of all sizes to the school for its clothes closet and board games and toys for the children to enjoy at recess. The Portland Trailblazers mascot Blaze made an appearance and BJ the clown entertained everyone with his funny antics and interactions providing a comedic show for the children to enjoy. All of the children were treated to a pizza lunch with Aramark contributing soft drinks and other snacks.
Sheriff Staton presented the Community Transitional School with a mockup of a reader board sign the Sheriff's Office will be providing to the school with donations received from the Sheriff's Office Management Association, Deputy Sheriff's Assocation, Multnomah County Corrections Deputies Association and Local 88. The reader board will help the school raise awareness of the school's mission in the community and provide school updates.
This year over 75 children attended the party and everyone enjoyed being able to participate in brightening the holiday season for them.
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Presidential Inauguration
Multnomah County Deputies participate in the 57th Presidential Inauguration
18 Deputies from MCSO traveled to Washington DC to help with the 57th Presidential Inauguration January 19th through 22nd. MCSO Deputies were a part of security force that numbered over 2600 police officers representing 81 agencies nationwide. MCSO was one of three west coast agencies selected to participate this term.
The Deputies were sworn in at American University by the United States Marshals Office on Sunday the 20th and then assisted with close to 17 hours of security detail during the Inauguration procession on Tuesday the 22nd. MCSO's assignment included manning a section of security fencing along Pennsylvania Avenue from 11th to 12th Avenue.  The Deputies worked alongside officers from the Denver Police Department and St. Georges County. Deputies reported that they enjoyed the experience and were honored by the opportunity to represent their community and country at such an important event. This was the third time that MCSO has represented west coast law enforcement at the Inauguration.
Reported by Lt. Travis W. Gullberg
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2012 Wood Village Citizen's Academy
On November 28, 2012 the 8th Annual Wood Village Citizen's Academy presented by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office graduated 26 citizens from the program. The program gives participants an inside look at the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and the operations and services MCSO provides to the community.
Participants attend weekly two hour sessions for a twelve week period and receive overviews of several areas within the Sheriff's Office including Investigations Units, River Patrol, Gang enforcement, Human Trafficking and the Sheriff's Office popular Drugs to Mugs presentation. Participants also have the opportunity to ride-a-long with a patrol deputy and participate in Range 3000 (computer Use of Force scenarios) during the course of the program.
The Citizen's Academy is a twelve week program designed 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. The academy also provides a conduit for improved community/law enforcement relationships, enhanced cooperation, and reduced stereotyping.
If you are interested in participating in the next academy which takes place in the fall of 2013, please watch for information regarding enrollment our website.
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Two Sheriff's Office members recognized by the Oregon State Sheriff's Association
This past month the Oregon State Sheriff's Association recognized two Multnomah County Sheriff's Office members for their exceptional performance. Sergeant Thomas Jacobs received the OSSA Supervisor of the Year award for 2012 and Deputy Brent Laizure was awarded the 2012 Law Enforcement Deputy of the Year award. These statewide honors are selected by an Awards Committee comprised of Sheriff's throughout the state. Selection is based on exceptional performance, accomplishments that benefit the agency, community, and/or significant contribution to employee safety, wellness, or morale.
2012 Supervisor of the Year Sergeant Thomas Jacobs was recognized for the extensive work he has done throughout his career and the many projects he has played an instrumental role in at the Multnomah County Detention Center. Some of these projects included the upgrade of the detention electronics, suicide prevention window cover project, Uninterrupted Power Supply upgrades and he played a key role in coordinating and implementing a Facility Routine Maintenance Schedule program which allowed more efficient management of labor hours and facility access in order to minimize impact on the facility and allow operations to continue with the least amount of disruption. In addition, Sgt. Jacobs assisted in preparing the Oregon Jail Standards Audit, is chair of the Westside Safety Committee and is an active participant in the Sustainable Jail Project.
2012 OSSA Law Enforcement Deputy of the Year Deputy Brent Laizure was recognized for the exemplary performance of his duties and his continuing dedication to serve the communities of Multnomah County.
Deputy Laizure started his career with MCSO as a Civil Deputy in 2005. Shortly after being hired he joined the MCSO Dive Team and in 2008 was promoted to an Enforcement Deputy, subsequently attending the Marine Academy and serving in the MCSO River Patrol unit before moving to the Patrol division. Since joining the Patrol Division Deputy Laizure quickly developed a fondness for traffic related issues and joined the East County Vehicular Crimes Team where he rapidly became a Traffic Crash expert.
Since 2009 Deputy Laizure has consistently been the highest producer of traffic enforcement and DUII arrests for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office each year. Deputy Laizure obtained certifications as a Drug Recognition expert and recently joined the Truck Inspections Team becoming certified as a truck inspector and leading the team in truck inspections which are done during his regular shift in addition to his patrol duties.
Deputy Laizure's passion for his work is not confined to his patrol duties but also extends into the community. Deputy Laizure is actively involved with the Youth Violence Prevention Partnership, started the graffiti abatement program with the City of Wood Village and was appointed as the liaison for MCSO. Additionally he helped spearhead the East County Latino Community program and still acts as MCSO's liaison. Dep. Laizure serves on the East County Traffic Safety Advisory Committee and sits on several neighborhood watch programs.
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Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Detention Center
Excels on Oregon Jail Standards Inspection
On November 29, 2012, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office welcomed a team of certified jail manager-inspectors from the Oregon State Sheriff's Association to review every aspect of operations at the Multnomah County Detention Center. Jail inspectors are certified by the Oregon Jail Managers. Inspections are conducted at participating jails every two years for compliance with the Oregon Jail Standards which represent guidelines for best practices in Oregon Jails. The Multnomah County Detention Center received the final report on December 11, 2012 and a 99.03% compliance rate on this inspection one of the highest scores earned statewide.
The Multnomah County Detention Center is a direct supervision maximum security facility, constructed in 1983. The jail has 448 beds, with a booking facility that processed over 35,000 bookings this past year. Specialty housing areas within the facility accommodate inmates in need of acute medical or mental health services, high security and/or other issues as identified by the MCSO Classification Unit.
The Oregon Jail Standards address inmate health care, inmate management, security and control, inmate services, sanitation and maintenance, admission and release and several other programs and services. There are currently 309 Oregon Jail Standards and most are required under Oregon law, Oregon Administrative Rules and ADA requirements. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office strives to provide quality, cost-effective detention services to the communities of Multnomah County and voluntary compliance with the Oregon Jail Standards assists us in this effort.
Among several areas the Multnomah County Detention Center achieved one hundred percent compliance in was inmate health care, which includes mental health services, an area the Sheriff's Office has focused on in recent years to meet the growing needs and numbers of mental health inmates within the Multnomah County Jails. Several sections involving inmate services, management, programs and activities and inmate communication were also found to be in full compliance with the Oregon Jail Standards. Maintaining full compliance with the Oregon Jail Standards reduces liability for the Sheriff's Office and helps maintain accountability and transparency for the jail.
The Multnomah County Detention Center has been OJS compliant since 2001. The next scheduled inspection date will occur in the fall of 2014.
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MCSO volunteers during the Holiday season
MCSO Deputies once again joined Troutdale Police Department and members from the Troutdale Public Safety Advisory Board for the annual Christmas toy drive for  needy children in East Multnomah County. The toy drive was once again a big success as shoppers opened their hearts and wallets to help brighten a child's holiday. Over the four weekends the toy drive took place citizens donated over $1600 in cash and 265 barrels of toys were collected donations collected are turned over at the end of the drive and distributed through Snowcap. Wal-Mart the site of the collection station for the toy drive also provided $3,000.00 from a grant fund which was used to sponsor several disadvantaged families and children over the holiday surprising them with holiday items from their wish lists and clothes and toys to the children.
In addition to the toy drive, MCSO Deputies from the Sheriff's Office joined Fairview Police Officers at the Target store in Fairview for the Shop with a Cop event sponsored by a generous donation from Target. Ten needy children selected by the Gresham chapter of the Salvation Army were each paired up with an officer or deputy who followed them through the store and helped them as they eagerly looked for holiday gifts. After the shopping was finished, deputies and officers joined the children for lunch at the Burgerville restaurant on SE Hogan Drive in Gresham kindly provided by the owner of the Burgerville. 
Deputies and employees of the Sheriff's Office participate and volunteer in a variety of events throughout the year helping to improve the community we live in. Below are a few pictures from events over the holiday season and MCSO wishes everyone a safe and happy 2013. |
MCSO Sgt Jon Haase and Dep Don Bryant qualify to part of the US contingent at the 2013 World Police and Fire Games to be held in Belfast, Ireland.
 | Sgt Haase & Dep Bryant
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Sgt Haase competes in golf while Dep Bryant competes in weight lifting. Both took home medals at the 2012 US Games in San Diego, CA. Sgt Haase won the Bronze in golf and Dep Bryant took the gold in the bench press competition for the 55 to 60 year old division. Dep Bryant's bench press of 320lbs earned him the gold.
Both compete for the love of the game! Best of luck in 2013.
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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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