The Green Hornet

 MCSO eNewsletter

 
Your 24/7
 Human Services
 and Public Safety Agency 
  
      
Winter 2014
 
  
In this issue
Sheriff's Message
Transitional School Holiday Party
Hansen Building Update
Willamette Boat House
Kidsfest!
Polar Plunge - Rescheduled
River Patrol - New Vessel
Work Crew Project
Joint Operation
Shop with a Cop
Winter Storm

flyer 

 
Multnomah County Sheriff Staton 
 
Sheriff StatonThe Sheriff's Office has always had a strong tradition of volunteer service and community participation. As the Multnomah County Sheriff I am proud to see so many of our staff volunteering their time to support and become involved in the communities we serve. I would like to thank them for making the time in their busy schedules to take part in one of the many community events the Sheriff's Office participated in this past year and others they have volunteered time for. 

 

One of the organizations we support throughout the year is Special Olympics Oregon which is a part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) series of events. Some of these include the LETR Polar Plunge, Dodgeball, Torch Run, and Tip-A-Cop.  These LETR events continue a long-standing relationship between the Special Olympics family and Law Enforcement.

 

A volunteer LETR committee made up of sworn and non-sworn staff from a cross-section of the Sheriff's Office was established earlier this year. This committee will help promote and continue MCSO's leadership role in supporting Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR). The committee will work to establish a year-round pool of volunteers to assist at SOOR competitions as award presenters, increase participation of MCSO staff in events we are involved in, raise awareness of Special Olympics Oregon among MCSO staff and continue the traditions of the LETR. This will assist us in continuing our leadership role in support of Special Olympics Oregon as MCSO moves into the future and retiring staff "Hand off the Torch" to the next generation. Below is a little more information about the LETR and Special Olympics Oregon.

 

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in Wichita, Kansas in 1981. It is now a year-round global event, all 50 states and more than 30 foreign countries participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run relay. In Oregon, more than 1,000 law enforcement personnel from federal, military, state, county and local agencies participate and it is Special Olympics Oregon's largest grassroots fundraising and public awareness program.  

 

Special Olympics Oregon serves the largest disability population in the state. Special Olympics Oregon provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Special Olympics Oregon is Training for Life.

 

I look forward to The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office continuing its strong traditions of volunteer involvement in the communities we serve.

 

MCSO's Annual Transitional School Holiday Party brings smiles to the students

 

The Community Transitional School holiday party tradition continued this year as the Sheriff's Office once again hosted students from the school and helped brighten their holidays with entertainment, gifts, pizza and a visit from Santa on Thursday December 19, 2013. Volunteers from the Sheriff's Office along with members of the Wilson High School leadership group ensured the children had a great time as they were entertained by BJ the Clown and a visit from Blaze (the Portland Trailblazers mascot). Over 70 children from the Community Transitional School were able to attend.

 

Sheriff Staton enjoys a moment with the students during the party!

 

In the weeks leading up to the party, holiday wreaths are placed at the various worksites of MCSO staff with nametags of the Transitional School students and suggestions of an item the child may like. In addition this year, every child at the party received a new pair of shoes as part of their gifts, ensuring the child has a good quality pair of shoes available to them. The Wilson High School Leadership group brought along clothing, toys and musical instruments they had collected to help fulfill the School's wish list on their website and give the children at the school items to enjoy during class and recess times.

 

Wilson High Leadership group member assisting with gift opening 

The Community Transitional School's mission is to provide Kindergarten through 8th grade education to the children of families who are homeless, in transition and experiencing poverty related crises. The holiday mission of the Sheriff's Office for the past 25 years has been to provide the schoolchildren of the Community Transitional School a place where Santa can come with clothing and toys for these at-risk youth and the children can enjoy a fun and positive experience during the holidays. This is an event, and an opportunity, to give much needed love and support to these children, and a boost toward breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness that is their norm.

 

This event is supported by many contributing organizations and individuals who have made donations and/or volunteer for the event. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the following for their support of this year's Community Transitional School party: IZZY's Pizza Gateway restaurant, Aramark, Keefe Group, Keizer Elks Club, Jack Dellert/Portland Trail Blazers, Wilson High School Leadership Group, Multnomah County Corrections Deputy Association, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Management Association, Local 88, Multnomah County Deputy Sheriff's Association, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judges, Crowd Management Services, the Washburn family and BJ the Clown.

 

HANSEN BUILDING RELOCATION KEEPS MOVING FORWARD

 

 

Why do we need to move? Sheriff Staton is committed to moving MCSO out of the Hansen building for three primary reasons. First, our safety is his number one concern. The Hansen Building is not rated for earth quakes, has ongoing problems with asbestos and black mold, water issues in the basement and was never designed to accommodate the security needs of a full functioning law enforcement agency. Second, our service to our constituents would be greatly enhanced if we were located closer to our primary jurisdiction and partner agencies. And third, it makes financial sense in his responsibility to be a good steward of public money.

 

If you have been making friendly bets with your colleagues on whether or not we will ever move out of the Hansen Building you should start hoping you were betting on the "YES" side. Sheriff Staton and Commissioner McKeel are now partnering to ensure our move sooner than later. As you all know this process has been long, and fraught with challenges, but through the Sheriff and Commissioner McKeel we have formed a project management team (PMT) that is not only moving forward but is ahead of schedule so far.

 

The Hansen Building Relocation PMT is made up of representatives from the Sheriff's Office, Commissioner McKeel's office, Facility Property Management, County Finance and the Chairs Office. This team began working in late December 2013 and at this point we have a request for proposal (RFP) out to secure a contract with an Owner's Representative. You might ask, "What is an Owners representative"? Simply stated, an Owners representative is a third party (usually a company) who is hired by the owner (Multnomah County) to represent them during the programming, analysis, site selection, design and construction phase of a project as well as relocation. Doing this will expedite our process as the Owners Representative will be a full time entity focused solely on this one project. If all goes well we should have our Owners Representative in place in April 2014.

 

Although we are still developing the overall timeline for completion, one thing remains constant; Sheriff Staton is steadfast this will happen. The partnership that he has built with Commissioner McKeel will further aid him in ensuring it will happen. Through their leadership the new Sheriff's Office can be seen on the horizon and the future is bright.

 New Willamette River Patrol Boathouse Approved

 

 

 

On February 9th, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office River Patrol received the good news from Multnomah County Commissioners that additional funding of $400,000 for the purchase of a new Willamette River boathouse and office had been approved. The additional funds were unanimously approved by the County Commissioners and will allow the Sheriff to complete a building project that began over a year ago with a proposed design for a new Willamette River office and attached boat well on the water.

 

The current building the Willamette River Patrol Unit is housed in was constructed out of World War II mobile floating dock sections. It was originally constructed for the Portland Harbor Patrol and was subsequently transferred to the City Parks and then over to MCSO. The Boathouse has been moved around over the years spending time by the Hawthorne Bridge, Terminal 4 and its current location now on Front Ave. The boathouse is in need of major repairs and is functionally past its service life. 

 

Early on in the process of identifying the type of building and attached boat house that would meet public safety needs over the next 50 years, it was recognized additional funding would be required for the purchase. The Sheriff's Office worked diligently with County Facilities and the County Commissioners to help ensure the buildings purchased would meet the needs of the community well into the future. The approval for this purchase helps to ensure the MCSO River Patrol can continue to meet the demands of public safety on the Willamette and its surrounding waterways for the boating public. 

Kidsfest 2014

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) staff volunteered at the North Star Resource Group Secure Child ID kit station during Kidfest at the Portland Expo Center in January. MCSO deputies and staff assisted North Star Resource group personnel with fingerprinting children for free Secure Child ID booklets being provided by the North Star group at their booth for parents during the Kidsfest event. Parents were welcome to stop by the Secure Child ID booth during the event and have a free Secure Child ID booklet made up for their own child. 
 
kidfest
Sheriff Dan Staton and Chief Deputy Jason Gates at a prior Kidsfest Event

The MCSO has a long history of supporting the North Star Resource Group in their mission to speed up the investigation and rescue process of missing children. This mission is accomplished by providing families with Secure Child ID Booklets. Each booklet contains identification and emergency information for their child. MCSO deputies assist with fingerprinting children for the booklets. Parents or guardians receive and keep the original Secure Child Id booklet, maintaining the confidentiality of all of the data. 

Each Secure Child ID booklet contains your child's emergency information, a head and shoulders photo, physical information, at-home checklists, safety tips for parents and children, college funding tips and space for four different photographs.

The head and shoulders photo of the child is taken as they look everyday against a special blue background so that a series of photos can be age progressed. Once 2 or more photos have been taken over a six month to a year time frame the photo can be age progressed.  

 

MCSO personnel volunteer throughout the year to help assist at North Star Secure Child ID booths at various events throughout the year. 

 

 Polar Plunge

 

 Due to inclement weather the Polar Plunge has been moved from Feb 7 & 8 to Feb 28 & Mar 1.  

   Polar Plunge

 

River Patrol adds a new vessel to the fleet

 

 

 

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office added a new addition to the MCSO River Patrol fleet this  past month as a 30' Munson Packcat was delivered. The purchase of the new vessel was primarily funded through a grant from Homeland Security and the vessel is currently going through sea trials. The addition of this vessel to the River Patrol fleet will bring added regional support capabilities for Dive Rescue operations along with support for Homeland Security missions, regional SWAT and tactical units and All Hazard response to man-made or natural disasters in the region. The Munson Packcat will be on display for the public and media during the Polar Plunge event which was rescheduled to March 1, 2014.  

 

 


 

Zimmerman House regional Work crew project

 

 

On Saturday January 11, 2014 Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) inmate work crews were out at the historic Zimmerman House located at 17111 Northeast Sandy Boulevard, Portland, OR as part of continuing efforts to restore the Zimmerman house and grounds. MCSO was assisted by inmate work crews from Clackamas County, Washington County and the Marion County Sheriff's Office as they worked to improve the grounds around the Zimmerman House and completed several projects for the Fairview-Rockwood-Wilkes Historical Society (FRWHS).

 

The Zimmerman House is a turn of the century farmhouse located on 5.98 acres; a remnant parcel of the original dairy farmstead that at one time extended over 600 acres of reclaimed bottom land along the Columbia River. The historic Zimmerman House and 1.58 acres of historical property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 5, 1986.

 

The historic house and the grounds are now managed through a partnership arrangement between the City of Gresham and FRWHS, whereby the City owns the property and FRWHS owns the house and its contents. The mission of the FRWHS is to preserve and stimulate interest in the history of the Fairview, Rockwood, and Wilkes areas of East Multnomah County.

 

The FRWHS also oversees the Heslin House Historic Center, built in 1893 and located adjacent to the Handy City Park in Fairview, OR. The Heslin House is an example of Western Farmhouse architecture and has historical artifacts displayed from the Heslin family who resided in the house for almost 100 years. In addition, the Heslin House hosts historical exhibits and displays from the three areas the Society represents. The Heslin House was purchased in 1991 by the City of Fairview and is maintained by the FRWHS.  More information can be found at www.frwhs.org.

 

 

Joint Operation results in over forty arrests

 

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit Dangerous Drug Team played an integral role as part of a cooperative investigative effort with local, state and federal partners over the latter half of 2013. The investigation focused on white supremacist gangs criminal activity and culminated in the arrest of more than forty suspects over the first weekend in December.

 

The individuals arrested were responsible for a significant amount of crime in the tri-county area including: armed robberies, home invasions, firearms trafficking, witness intimidation (including kidnapping and assaulting people they believed might testify against them), identity theft, drug dealing, car theft, and other crimes that affect the livability of our community.

 

Over twenty search warrants were executed during the investigation.  These resulted in the seizure of over 70 firearms including fully automatic weapons (some of which were equipped with silencers), explosives, more than seven pounds of methamphetamine, approximately $50,000 in cash, body armor, multiple stolen cars, reams of identity theft profiles, stolen bicycles, stolen musical instruments, stolen mail and stolen UPS packages.

 

The arrests dealt a significant blow to the leadership of these white supremacist gangs.  Many of those arrested in the operation were high level members of these gangs who played significant roles in organizing and masterminding criminal activity in the tri-county area.

 

Reducing crime and the fear of crime are part of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office mission. MCSO's Special Investigations Unit is continually working for a safer, more livable community for the residents of Multnomah County. An investigation of this magnitude would not have been possible without the assistance of all of the agency partners involved in this investigation which included the US Attorney's Office, Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, US Marshals, Portland Police Bureau, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County Parole and Probation and the Metro Gang Unit in various stages of this investigation. 

 

 

Shop with a Cop and Toy Drive

.



Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and Fairview Police Department join local charities for Shop-With-A-Cop and Troutdale PD/MCSO Annual Toy Drive another success!

 

Bringing smiles to some needy children on the holidays was the goal of several MCSO deputies and Fairview PD officers on a Saturday in December as they gathered to participate as part of Shop-With-A-Cop at the Target store in Fairview, OR. Ten needy children from East County were selected by the Gresham chapter of the Salvation Army and given the opportunity to shop and purchase holiday gifts with the "help" of local law enforcement and adult volunteers from the Gresham Optimist Club. The Shop-With-A-Cop event was supported through a generous grant from Target as well as donations from the Fairview Police Department.

  

Deputies and officers teamed up with a child and followed them through the store as they shopping, comparing and looking for just the right holiday gifts. After finishing their shopping (and working up quite an appetite), the deputies, officers, children and volunteers were treated to lunch, generously donated by the owner of the Burgerville restaurant on SE Hogan Drive in Gresham.

 

The Annual Troutdale/MCSO Christmas Toy Drive collected over 200 fifty-five gallon barrels of toys for needy East County children during the 2013 toy drive held at Walmart in Wood Village. Officers from Troutdale PD and Deputies from MCSO volunteered their time along with members from the Troutdale Public Safety Advisory Committee to help collect donations and toys for Snowcap of East County to distribute to needy children and youths through 18 years of age. The toy drive also focused on collecting gifts for teenage children, a group often overlooked during holiday distribution efforts. The Wood Village Walmart has helped support the toy drive for the past five years and has been a great partner for the continued success of the annual toy drive. 
 


 

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office assists as winter storm hits the Metro area

I84 in the Gorge

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) deputies and staff worked throughout the storm that occurred in the metro area in early February, providing public safety services to the public and ensuring operations continued within the Sheriff's Office. MCSO Patrol deputies were out during the storm checking for individuals who needed shelter and offering transport to warming shelters if needed. Sheriff Staton responded to Emergency Management requests for assistance in transporting individuals between warming shelters, deploying MCSO's Transports Unit personnel. The Sheriff's Office Transports Unit assisted with the transportation of several homeless individuals who had mobility issues between warming shelters within the Gresham area. In addition, MCSO Corrections Division staff opened the jail laundry during the storm cleaning blankets and mats for the American Red Cross to distribute to East County warming shelters to ensure they had sufficient supplies to provide for individuals seeking shelter.

 

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office assists a variety of emergency service providers during weather related events to ensure continuity of services to vulnerable and at-risk populations in our communities.  


More Stories on the News Link on www.mcso.us!

Quick Links...
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
Join Our Mailing List