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Summer 2015
 
  
In this issue

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MSV Fennica - MCSO Response
 
Every year, there are events that stand out for the Sheriff's Office during the course of the year. I would like to recognize members of the Sheriff's Office who were involved in one such event this past July as MCSO assisted as part of the multi-jurisdictional response during the MSV Fennica protests.
Sheriff Staton
Sheriff Dan Staton 
 
The MSV Fennica is a Shell Oil ship which arrived in Portland on Saturday July 25, 2015 for repairs to the ship's hull which was damaged earlier in the month when it struck an underwater obstruction near the Aleutian Islands. The arrival of the MSV Fennica into Portland marked the beginning of a series of protests against arctic off-shore drilling by the company Shell Oil.
 
MCSO River Patrol assisted the U.S. Coast Guard with the initial ship escort into the drydock at Swan Island for repairs on Saturday morning which was completed uneventfully. Over the course of the next week while the ship was under repair, protests against Shell Oil and the ship increased in number as more protesters arrived and demonstrations increased. MCSO River Patrol worked closely with the U.S. Coast Guard to monitor and ensure protesters on the water around Swan Island were operating in a safe manner during these demonstrations.
 
 
 
On July 30th, 2015, the MSV Fennica repairs were completed. The MSV Fennica left the drydock and transited downriver with a U.S. Coast Guard escort in the morning but stopped and turned around after reaching the St. Johns Bridge where protesters had lowered themselves on ropes from the bridge a few days earlier as part of an attempt to block the ship's transit.
 
The MCSO River Patrol was called upon as part of a multi-jurisdictional response to assist the U.S. Coast Guard and escort the ship downriver later that afternoon. Hundreds of protesters in kayaks "kayaktivists" had gathered on the river near the St. Johns Bridge to stop the commercial vessel from transiting back downriver to the ocean and on to the arctic drilling area where it was headed. The River Patrol showed their professionalism and technical expertise as their boat teams and PWC operators worked alongside local, regional, state and federal partners to ensure the commercial vessel could safely transit through as kayaktivists tried to block the ship's passage. Throughout their attempts to try and close on the vessel and maneuver around River Patrol and Coast Guard vessels to place themselves in front of the ship and block the transit, our river patrol was front and center, deftly navigating around and in between hundreds of kayaks keeping them back from the ship as it slowly made its way past. It was a testament to the professionalism and expertise of our river patrol units that no one was injured during the entire operation.
 
It was a huge undertaking to ensure the safety of the protesters along with the safety of the Fennica and their crew members. Everyone involved, whether on or in the water and those on land played a very important part in making sure this event ended as peacefully as possible. This was an unprecedented occurrence on our waterways. Members of the Corrections Emergency Response Team performing transport support were also involved in this action. I am proud of the way our river patrol units and our staff involved in all levels of this incident represented the Sheriff's Office during this event.
 
The work we do every day is very important, the extra above and beyond to help other agencies and those who pass through our county is a significant part of the Sheriff's Office Mission - providing exemplary service. Thank you for your extraordinary service representing the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office at such a high standard.

MSV Fennica MCSO Responders

Cmdr. Rai Adgers - Cmdr. Jason Gates - Capt Jeff Wheeler - Lt. Steve Alexander - Lt. Travis Gullberg - Lt. Joel Wendland - Sgt. Todd Brightbill - Sgt. Steve Dangler - Sgt. Mark Herron - Sgt. Tim Lichatowich - Sgt. Brandon White - Deputy Matt Adams - Deputy Josh Atkins - Deputy Jose Azevedo - Deputy Emily Bergey - Deputy Jessy Brown - Deputy Keith Bybee - Deputy Rafael Cortada - Deputy Bill Hong - Deputy Christopher Hudson - Deputy James Langston - Deputy Mike Lee - Deputy Kevin McAfee - Deputy Scott McDowell - Deputy Rod Nuzum - Deputy Juan Roldan - Deputy Jeff Schneider - Deputy Todd Shanks - Deputy Kyle Smith - Deputy Nicholas Thompson - Deputy Jason Tyrus

 
 

MCSO Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Oregon
 
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) employees took to the streets on July 9, 2015 in support of Special Olympics Oregon as the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run kicked off from Reynolds High School. Runners from MCSO as well as several other metro area police agencies joined Special Olympics Oregon athletes as they carried the torch as part of the first leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. The first stage of the north leg of the Torch Run again started at Reynolds High School and ended at the MCSO Hansen Building on 122nd and Glisan.

Over eighty runners and Multnomah County Special Olympics athletes and coaches participated in the north leg of the Torch Run this year. Everyone had a great time supporting Special Olympics Oregon and enjoyed a barbecue lunch supported by donations supporting the north leg of the torch run. Special Olympics Oregon also presented Sheriff Dan Staton with a plaque recognizing the contributions Multnomah County Sheriff's Office has made this year to the Special Olympics Oregon fundraising efforts.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) represents a long-standing tradition within the Special Olympics family. During the week of July 6-12, several hundred law enforcement volunteers (Guardians of the Flame) and Special Olympics Oregon athletes relay the Flame of Hope to Summer State Games, their destination being the Games Ceremonies at Newberg High School Stadium.

The Final Leg of the Torch Run took place on Saturday afternoon from McMinnville to Newberg Newberg High School. The Torch was escorted into the stadium by Law Enforcement and SOOR athletes to light the cauldron marking the start of the State games. Athletes and their coaches paraded into the Newberg High School stadium and onto the field for opening games celebrations as they were welcomed by Law Enforcement officers who lined the entrance to welcome them. Governor Kate Brown was among opening ceremony speakers welcoming the athletes to the games. 
 


Several members of the Sheriff's Office attended all or part of the events over the weekend. Throughout the weekend Sheriff's Office members presented awards after competitions and encouraged competing athletes in their competitions. A great time was had by all of the competitors and Sheriff's Office staff that volunteered their time to assist with award presentations and interact with all of the athletes.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in Wichita, Kansas in 1981. 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 in the Torch Run, Special Olympics Oregon's largest grassroots fundraising and public awareness program.

This year's Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Oregon is sponsored by many agencies and businesses including: Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, Red Robin, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Beaverton Police Association, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, FBI Citizen Academy Alumni Association, McMinnville Police Department, Port of Portland Police Employees' Association, Redmond Police Department, Albany Police Department, Tualatin Police Officers Association, Newberg/Dundee Police Department, Salem Police Foundation, Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, and the official Pace Car of the Torch Run - Newberg Dodge-Chrysler Jeep.   
In addition, MCSO would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for donations supporting the first stage of the north leg of the Torch Run. These included: Skyland Pub, Aramark, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, the Multnomah County Deputy Sheriff's Association, Multnomah County Corrections Deputies Association and Sheriff's Office Management Association.  

About Special Olympics Oregon:   
Special Olympics Oregon serves the largest disability population in the state and this year they will celebrate their 40th Anniversary. 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. Additional information can be found at www.soor.org.
  
 
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office out and about this Summer Participating in Community Events.
 
The 16th Annual Wood Village Nite Out on July 17, 2015 was another great success this year. Participating staff from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office performed SWAT and K9 demonstrations and even a TASER demonstration with a 'willing' Sheriff's Office volunteer! The MCSO Training Unit once again had their Shoot/Don't Shoot scenario exercises available for the public to experience and static displays from the Sheriff's Office and Search and Rescue provided information regarding the Sheriff's Office and the services it provides to the community. Search and Rescue volunteers also provided a demonstration on how to 'package' a person for transport and recruited for the upcoming Search and Rescue Academy in September.



The next day MCSO participated in the Troutdale Summerfest parade and activities held throughout the day in Troutdale as part of their Summerfest celebration. On July 1, 2015 MCSO began providing police services to the City of Troutdale after Troutdale Police Department consolidated with the Sheriff's Office. Over the past six months, MCSO has been out at community events in Troutdale along with Troutdale PD to connect with community members regarding the transition and working to build strong relationships with the community now served by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.

Corbett Nite Out was held on Tuesday August 4, 2015 and the Sheriff's Office provided demonstrations from tactical teams as well as K9 "Ranger" who showed his tracking and tactical prowess during the demonstration. Several static displays from the Sheriff's Office were also available for community members to view and check out MCSO vehicles and see information regarding Sheriff's Office services and functions. MCSO Citizen's Patrol was also on hand with information about their role and how to become involved as part of the Citizen's Patrol for those interested. Search and Rescue was also present with one of their vehicles and to promote the upcoming Search and Rescue Academy starting in September.



MCSO participates on a regular basis throughout the year at community events and festivals to be accessible and interact with community members. Exemplary service for a safe, livable community is the Sheriff's Office vision and forging strong ties in the communities and with the people we serve contributes to that vision.

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office joins the fun at Kidney Kids Camp

 
On August 9, Members from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office spent the morning with children at the Kidney Kids Camp providing demonstrations, safety talks, and interactions with some of the equipment MCSO deputies use in the course of their duties. MCSO's own K9 Deputy Todd Weber and his partner "Ranger" proved a big hit with the kids at the camp as he demonstrated some of Ranger's training and the kids were able to say hi to him afterwards. 



Family Kidney Camp is for children with chronic kidney disease (either on dialysis or having had a transplant) and their family members. Family Kidney Camp addresses the unmet need of providing no-cost education and emotional support services to children with kidney disease and their family members. For many families, Kidney Camp is their only opportunity to connect with other children having a similar experience and access education specific to kidney disease. Participants receive support and information from professionals who understand the challenges associated with kidney disease and both children and parents offer meaningful support to one another. This is especially important to children who are new to kidney disease.

The week prior members from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Dive Team hosted a pool class for teens attending the Kidney Camp and interacted with them demonstrating dive equipment, swift water rescue techniques and letting the teens try out some of the dive team apparatus. Some of the kids attending could not get fully in the water due to treatment and dive team members escorted them around the pool in a kayak showing them how to use their paddles to maneuver around in the pool.  Everyone from the Sheriff's Office enjoyed their time with the kids and providing them a fun interactive learning experience about Sheriff's Office operations.
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office introduces new Westside Community Resource Officer
 
On July 22, 2015 the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office introduced the new Westside Community Resource Officer. This position has been long advocated for by Sheriff Staton to increase coverage of unincorporated areas on the west-side and be involved in the community to better understand the concerns of residents.


The Sheriff's Office Westside Community Resource Deputy will assist the community with emergency preparedness, safety education, selective traffic enforcement and perform as a liaison for county law enforcement and social services with multiple Westside Multnomah County communities through problem oriented policing projects that are unique to the areas. The deputy will also serve as a resource and/or a community partner for schools, community groups and local residents. The position will help increase both safety and livability for the Dunthorpe, Skyline/West Hills and Sauvie Island communities.  

The Westside patrol district (District 10) spans 65.9 miles, and includes the areas of Skyline and Dunthorpe as well as Sauvie Island, which receives over one million visitors annually. The Westside Community Resource Officer will work with residents of those areas and be able to assist in addressing each areas unique concerns. 

The position is modeled after our very successful Eastside Resource Deputy position that is currently being staffed by Deputy Joe "Rocky" Graziano. He has developed a very good working relationship with the unincorporated areas on the eastside and the cities of Corbett and Springdale. 

At a community meeting held on July 22, 2015 Multnomah County Sheriff Dan Staton and Multnomah County District 1 Commissioner Jules Bailey introduced Deputy Daren Taber as the new Westside Community Resource Officer. 

Deputy Taber grew up in Multnomah County and has nine years of police experience. He spent two year years assigned to the East Metro Gang Enforcement Team, several years as a patrol officer, SWAT officer, several months as an Acting Sergeant and for the last 18 months, was assigned to Detectives. 

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is excited to expand our existing services to the unincorporated areas on the west side of Multnomah County and are looking forward to building closer connections with the residents we serve. 
  
 

Summer with the River Patrol Unit

For the Sheriff's Office River Patrol there is little doubt that the summer of 2015 will go down as a historic boating season. In a year, which saw most of the state's waterways suffer reduced water levels, if not even severe drought conditions, the waters of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers maintained their flow levels and as result they saw an increase in usage. Uncommon for our area, the River Patrol began to see signs of the increased boating and water activities beginning in early June. This increase in waterway usage is normally reserved for late July and August when the temperatures reach their peak in Oregon. By the end of June there were some 182 reported incidents compared to 112 incidents reported in June of 2014. Incidents are anything to include calls for service, self-initiated activity, and any other events or activities initiated and reported by a deputy. Things did not let up in July. By the end of July there were 100 more reported incidents compared to those reported in July of 2014. Add to this the River Patrol not only hosted and participated in the many customary scheduled special water events such as Fleet Week, the Columbia Slough Regatta, the Big Float and many parades and community events to promote water safety but the River Patrol also responded to two on water situations which became complex and attracted major media attention. 



In late July local marine industry company Vigor hosted the Shell Oil ship Fennica for repairs. Because this vessel is considered by some of the public to be controversial, and also because the United States Coast Guard had previously seen protests occur in Seattle when the ship visited that area; local, state and federal waterway first responders teamed up to keep both the ship and any potential protestors safe on the inbound and outbound transit. What resulted was a nationally covered standoff, and eventual call to action to ensure that the ship left Portland safely, while keeping the protestors safe as well. Never before had deputies experienced protesting on the water, let alone to this intense level. Who can forget the images of protestors suspended from the St. John's Bridge or the redo like dance between a Sheriff's Office boat and a kayak? In all, there were some 13 arrests made that day, but more importantly no one was injured and the ship eventually left Portland. As a highlight for the unit just this past week Lt. Travis Gullberg had the pleasure of accepting in a gesture of appreciation a challenge coin from the USCG 13th District Rear Admiral Richard T. Gromlich. Lt. Gullbeg was proud to accept the coin on behalf all the Sheriff's Office members whom helped over the course of this protest.

Within days of the ship leaving Portland, the River Patrol was faced with yet another taxing water event. The Red Bull Flugtag returned to Portland. This event which rotates around the world has been held in Portland two other times since its inception. This time would be different, however. With the extremely warm temperature and beautiful sunny skies, some 90,000 land goers and over 500 boats anchored to watch the day's events. As the number of boats swelled on the water, and commercial traffic attempted to safely transit through the River Patrol once again jumped into action, and as result of their professionalism and excellent boating handling skills were able to assist and avoid any injuries and keep boaters safe when called to assist the U.S. Coast Guard.

It hasn't been all grey skies and rough waters for the River Patrol. The unit welcomed new additions to their fleet this summer. The unit replaced old Boat 9 ("The Crab Boat") with a custom made 24 foot, 2015 River Wild, and in June they also took possession of two Seadoo personal watercrafts. The PWC's are meant to improve the response time, give more flexibility to the unit's ability to respond to shallow water area of the rivers and to decrease their impact from wakes, especially in no wake zones throughout the county.



Finally, the River Patrol enjoyed hosting two Summer Work's program students this summer. Both of the young men provided much needed help assisting with everything from office tasks to mechanical work. They fit right in with the deputies and along with three new recruits that spent their summer with the River Patrol, helped the unit move towards achieving their community policing goals.    
         
By, Lt. Travis W. Gullberg

   
 
  
Troutdale Police Department personnel join the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office at Hiring Ceremony

On Tuesday June 30, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office welcomed in thirty members of the Troutdale Police Department during a hiring ceremony at the Mt. Hood Community College Visual Arts Theater in Gresham, OR.

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office welcomed in the experienced officers and staff from the Troutdale Police Department. Since July 1, 2015, the officers continue to patrol the City of Troutdale but as deputies and/or sergeants for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. MCSO Supervisors are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week which expanded the supervisory coverage provided to the City of Troutdale.

July 1, 2015 also marked the start of a lease agreement for the Troutdale Police Community Center. The Troutdale Police Community Center located at 234 SW Kendall Court in Troutdale, OR is now the home of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division and support services. Patrol services are now centered out of the Troutdale Police Community Center, which remains under the ownership of the city.

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is looking forward to providing exemplary service to the City of Troutdale and becoming an active partner in the community.
Sustainable Jail Project updates

The Inmate garden at Inverness Jail is on the way to another very successful growing season. So far over 700 pounds of vegetables have been harvested from the garden. All of the vegetables harvested are donated to SNOWCAP charities for distribution to low-income and needy families in Multnomah County. The Inmate Work Crew involved with the garden is given instruction each week in how to care for the garden, what to look for to maintain a healthy garden and ways they can event start their own when they are released through garden programs in the community.



The Seeds to Supper program which is offered to in custody offenders at the Inverness Jail is a class offered by the Oregon Food Bank. The curriculum is a comprehensive program that gives adult learners the tools they need to successfully grow a portion of their own food on a limited budget; promoting a healthy, active lifestyle through gardening.

The Sustainable Jail Project continues to look for new ways to bring nature into the facility as well. Recently, a new job lab opened at the Inverness Jail to assist offenders ready themselves for job application processes and interviews when they return to the community. Artwork was donated by the Sustainability Office to brighten the learning environment the inmates were working in.
 

Earlier this spring Sheriff Staton endorsed an ESCO (Energy Savings Company) proposal to increase water efficiency at the Inverness Jail. This project was approved by the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners and once fully implemented is expected to reduce water consumption so significantly it will meet the Sustainable Jail Project water savings goal from 2030!

There are several projects currently being researched and reviewed by the sustainability team to continue to build on past successes and build momentum for the future. The mission of the Sustainable Jail Project is to provide excellent stewardship of public funds by saving money, conserving natural resources, and reducing recidivism rates by incorporating informed, sustainable decision-making and practices into Multnomah County jail facilities, operations, and programming
 

Wounded Warrior Softball Fundraiser
 
For the third year in a row members from the Sheriff's office participated in the 3rd Annual Wounded Warrior Project softball tournament at the Howard M Terpenning Complex of the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District.
 
The softball tournament has been held annually as a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project and was an idea started with a young member from the Hillsboro First Congregational United Church of Christ who wanted to do something to help support the Wounded Warrior Project. After initially recruiting a couple of agencies that participated in the tournament the first year, including the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Tamir Green has worked to recruit additional agencies in hopes to continue to build the event and raise awareness of some of the issues facing our brave soldiers when they return home and show our wounded men and women they are not forgotten. All of the proceeds raised from the softball tournament are donated to the Wounded Warrior Project which supports programs and services for wounded veterans.
 
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office took third this year, but more importantly helped raise funds to support the Wounded Warrior Project and everyone enjoyed their time participating and supporting this worthy cause.



 Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Work Crews
out in the Community 
 
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Work Crew Unit provides inmates the opportunity to give back and serve the community while learning job skills and earning a reduction in their jail sentence. Every week MCSO Work crews are out in the community providing service through contracts with other government agencies that serve the citizens of Multnomah County and the surrounding areas.

MCSO Work Crews also provide community service support to various non-profits within Multnomah County and assist with multi-agency projects and regional clean-up efforts with other County Sheriff's Offices in the region. Once such project took place earlier this year as the MCSO Work Crew Unit and River Patrol Unit partnered with the Clackamas, Washington, and Marion County work crew and marine units in order to carry out a river clean-up before the start of the boating season. During the three days that focused on regional waterways in Multnomah County, 47 inmates cleaned over 13 miles of shoreline as River Patrol provided support for the clean-up effort and transported work crews to areas inaccessible and/or difficult to reach by land. Over 4.2 tons of garbage was removed during the clean-up effort!



MCSO Inmate Work Crews were also at several community events over the summer including the Columbia Slough Regatta, Sand in The City, March of Dimes and assisting Friends of the Library. Supporting community events, clean-ups and regional projects assist the Sheriff's Office as it strives to achieve its vision to provide exemplary service for a safe, livable community.

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

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