IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
The Sheriff's Office values community members reporting suspicious and illegal activity within their neighborhoods. You are law enforcement's best resource to meet the needs of our communities most effectively. By reporting what you observe, deputies can watch for trends, adjust patrols as needed, offer education, and continue to provide the high level of service you deserve. Let's work together to keep your neighborhood safe – Listen in with Deputies Orozco and Huggins as they talk about when and how to report crimes or suspicious activity in your area.
 
You can report non-urgent concerns to Non-Emergency Dispatch at 503-629-0111 or file a report through our online reporting system at bit.ly/WCSO_Reporting. All emergencies, including crimes in progress, report to 9-1-1 immediately. 
CRISIS NEGOTIATION UNIT TAKES FIRST PLACE
CONGRATULATIONS to the Washington County Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU) for winning first place at the Western States Crisis Negotiation Seminar and Competition in Boise, Idaho. This award marks their fifth first-place win in the last six years, a huge accomplishment!
 
This highly-trained group is often called upon to bring calm to potentially volatile situations in Washington County. Made up of Sheriff's Office deputies and other local police officers, the team responds to many callouts throughout the year. Calls may involve a person barricaded in a building to avoid arrest, someone threatening harm to themselves or others, hostage situations, or a wide variety of other crisis events that threaten the community's safety. 
Crisis negotiators work to gather information on those involved, establish ongoing rapport, interview witnesses, compile psychological profiles, develop threat assessments, and analyze intelligence information. They also rely on certified phycologists and mental health consultants who deploy with the team.
 
All team members receive specialized training from the FBI and the Western States Hostage Negotiators Association and attend monthly training events to remain proficient in the best practices of their field. CNU members also provide crisis negotiation training to other first responders providing added perspective to manage crisis incidents more consistently and effectively while on patrol.
SHIFT BRIEF
May 5, Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol responded to a capsized boat at Hagg Lake. The occupant had tipped the boat and fallen into the water when trying to land a fish. Other nearby boaters and an on-duty Marine Deputy quickly responded and together pulled the boater out of the water and brought their half sinking vessel to shore. The rescued boater thankfully had a personal floatation device which likely saved them from drowning. WCSO Marine Team reminds community members to always wear a life jacket for safety when out on the water. 
June 5, deputies received a call of an in-progress theft from a vehicle at the Sylvan Heights Condos. The caller reported someone going through their neighbor's car and described the suspects and their vehicle. Multiple deputies quickly responded and noted the suspect vehicle still inside the complex. They coordinated their response, identifying only two available exits; deputies successfully pinned the suspect vehicle, preventing either driver or passenger from escaping on foot. Deputies encountered two adults inside and identified the vehicle as stolen. They also found evidence of multiple car thefts, two handguns, two rifles (one of which was reported stolen), a machete, lots of ammunition, and numerous knives. Deputies credit this success to the observant resident and remind community members of the importance of reporting suspicious activity.
SAFETY SPOTLIGHT
100 DEADLIEST DAYS
Summer is in full swing, and as the county reopens, many are planning trips and summer fun. It is an appropriate time to remind teens that we are amid the "100 Deadliest Days of Summer." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, teen drivers between the ages of 16-19 are three times more likely than drivers 20 and older to be involved in a deadly crash. We Save Lives, lists the following facts to encourage responsible driving: 

  • Motor Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens.
  • Teens have the highest crash rate of any age group.
  • On average, 260 teens are killed in car crashes each month during the summer, increasing 26% compared with the other months of the year.
  • 60% of teen crashes today result from distracted driving.
  • Surprisingly, the top distraction for teens is other passengers, accounting for 15% of teen driver crashes, compared to 12% caused by texting or talking on a cell phone.
  • Not only are teens themselves more likely to die in car crashes, they also have the highest rates of crash involvement resulting in the deaths of others, including passengers, pedestrians, or occupants of other vehicles.
Parents, remain vigilant; young drivers are also more likely to underestimate or not recognize dangerous situations. Remind your teens of the following to provide them with as much safety information as possible:

  • Too many passengers is dangerous
  • Turn cell phones off while driving
  • Other distractions can be just as deadly
  • Impaired driving is not only dangerous; it is a crime
  • Show courage to decline rides from someone driving unsafely
  • Call if they are in a potentially bad driving situation
  • Follow speed limits and basic highway safety laws 
  • Always wear a seat belt
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SPEED ENFORCEMENT: In June, Washington County deputies made nearly 2,000 traffic stops, with 676 originating from a speed-related violation. Extra patrols will continue throughout July.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE: Our mission to keep drunk drivers off the road will continue all month long with enhanced DUII patrols. Learn how to make a plan to get home safely in our new video. (Para ver el video en español, haga clic aquí.)

DISTRACTED DRIVING: Driving while using a mobile device continues to be a problem throughout the county. Just last month, a teen driver crashed into a parked car while distracted by their phone. Extra patrols for distracted drivers will continue throughout July.

Stay safe, and see you on the road!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
The Sheriff's Office encourages Washington County communities to participate in the upcoming National Night Out (NNO) celebration on Tuesday, August 3. NNO is an annual community-building campaign focused on gathering together neighbors and local law enforcement, inspiring camaraderie and partnership, and promoting safe and inviting neighborhoods.

Building strong communities is more critical now than ever – plan a social gathering with your neighbors, then register your event with the Sheriff's Office to extend an invitation for deputies and members of our specialized teams to drop by. We're excited to see you again and welcome this opportunity to come together under positive circumstances.

For more information, email Patti Schilasky or call 503-846-2773.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
CASSANDRA ALDERMAN - RECORDS SPECIALIST
Records staff are responsible for many vital facets of the Sheriff’s Office; open to the public 24-hours a day, seven days a week, this team provides customers with a myriad of services. As such a vital part of the office, adequately staffing with exceptional employees is an absolute must. One such notable employee is Cassaundra Alderman, who joined the team just two years ago. Cassaundra quickly became an integral part of this multifaceted unit; her collateral duties include Field Training Officer (FTO) and warrants specialist. Most recently, she also spearheaded a brand new position assigned to expertly review complex Public Records Requests.
Cassaundra is a University of Oregon general science graduate. During her junior year, she began volunteering with Eugene Police Department, hoping to land a future job in forensics. She took on many responsibilities from evidence control, cataloging for the District Attorney, inventory, and intaking DHS child abuse forms. This volunteer work spiked her interest in the Records Department, inherently responsible for many similar duties. “I love how it’s impactful, always different, there’s continuous work to do, and it’s super fast-paced,” Cassaundra explained.

Upon graduation, Cassaundra cast her employment net wide and readily packed up and moved with her husband when offered the position at WCSO. As a new employee, Cassaundra most notably remembers how friendly the staff was, “The environment was a lot more relaxed than I anticipated. Deputies are always joking around, and it was eye-opening getting to know them all on a personal level.” 
WCSO Staff has also gotten to know Cassaundra…and her pigs! She is likely one of few Hillsboro residents to house two “inside-dwelling” 200+ pound pigs. After seeing them at the fair, Cassaundra says, “I just loved them so much. The obvious next progression was to get my own!” As a student, her parents offered the incentive of a pet pig upon graduation. She and her husband now parent two, Wanda and Milton. Neighbors describe her as “Wanda’s mom,” they often share food with the pig-duo, and photo ops are a frequent request.
When not working (and pig-parenting,) Cassaundra and her husband find time to delve into DIY (do-it-yourself) type projects. Some of their recent ventures included garden boxes, a kitchen table, and installing new hardwood flooring throughout their entire new home, “because pigs and white carpet obviously don’t work.” They also love to travel; having just returned from Hawaii, they are already eagerly planning and awaiting their next adventure.