K9 Bolo Earns Top Dog Award

The Washington County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff's Office Foundation hosted the 16th annual Washington County K9 Trials on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The event, which featured a K9 Trials competition, safety fair, and vendor fair, drew in close to 5,000 spectators, making it one of the largest audiences the event has seen.

The K9 Trials competition showcased the talented K9 law enforcement teams from around the region, including the Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Springfield Police Departments, and the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Congratulations to Corporal Michael Zaugg and his partner Bolo, who won the overall competition and received the "Top Dog" award.

The event was a huge success, and we thank everyone involved in making it possible. The Washington County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff's Office Foundation are committed to promoting public safety and building strong relationships with the community. The K9 Trials is just one of the many ways we work to achieve this goal.

We look forward to seeing everyone at next year's event and continuing to celebrate the dedicated K9 law enforcement teams in our region.

19-Year-Old Arrested for Driving 176 MPH

On May 17, 2023, a Washington County Sheriff's Office deputy conducting speed enforcement on Interstate 5 near Highway 217 witnessed a 2016 BMW M3 traveling south at an extremely high speed. Using a speed measuring tool called a Lidar, the deputy determined the vehicle was going 176 MPH.

The deputy immediately relayed the information to dispatch and requested assistance from other deputies in the area. Deputies caught up to the vehicle stopped on an off-ramp and pinned it in to prevent the driver from fleeing.

The 19-year-old driver cooperated with the deputies and was arrested for reckless driving. The driver was later lodged in the Washington County Jail.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office is committed to promoting public safety and enforcing traffic laws to protect the community. This incident serves as a reminder to all drivers to obey traffic laws and drive responsibly.

We want to thank all the deputies involved in this dangerous traffic stop for their quick thinking and actions in apprehending the reckless driver.

See full media release. 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is commemorated each year on June 15th to highlight elder abuse prevention. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for communities worldwide to promote a better understanding of the abuse and neglect of older adults by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. 

Elder abuse is an act that causes harm to an older person, which can be physical, social, financial, psychological, or sexual, and can include mistreatment and neglect. Between 2019 and 2030, the number of persons aged 60 years or over is projected to grow by 38% from 1 billion to 1.4 billion, globally outnumbering youth, recognizing that greater attention needs to be paid to the specific challenges affecting older adults. 

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Elder Safe Program helps victims aged 65 and older after a crime is reported to the police and continues to help them through the criminal justice system. The program is supported by a great group of volunteers in our community that help bring awareness of elder abuse daily to our community. 

To learn more about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, visit: https://ncea.acl.gov/WEAAD.aspx 

One of our most anticipated events this summer is fast approaching! National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that gathers neighborhoods and local law enforcement to inspire camaraderie and partnerships and promote safe and inviting neighborhoods. This year, NNO is on Tuesday, August 1, and with the date quickly approaching, we encourage you to rally your neighbors.

NNO is a terrific way to get to know those around you and begin building strong communities. Plan a social gathering with your neighbors, then register your event with the Sheriff's Office to invite deputies and other staff to drop by. Space is limited, so sign up soon. We look forward to seeing you on August 1^st!

For more information, email Public Affairs.

Planning on traveling this summer? If you plan to be away from home for a few days or more, don’t give criminals clues you that are not home. Consider these precautionary measures to help keep your home and belongings safe while you are away.

1. Find a friend, trusted neighbor, or family member to monitor your home. Leave them a key, so they can stop by and ensure everything is in order. They can alert you if anything is off, like a broken window or forced open door.
2. Take care of mail deliveries. Ask someone to collect your mail or put a vacation hold on your mail through the United States Postal Service website. Make sure to take care of all packages too.
3. Plan for trash pickup. Ask a neighbor to put away your bins for you. It could be a sign no one is home if they stay on the curb for too long.
4. Program your home with safety tools. A smart plug is a great way to let you control your lights with an app. old style mechanical timers work well too. Program your TV to turn on sometimes. Alarm systems are a great tool, including video doorbells and cameras.
5. Finally, be mindful of what you post on social media. Consider waiting until you get home to share the details of your trip.  

Stay safe and have a wonderful summer!

Do you have kiddos who will be home for summer break? Wondering if your child is old enough to

stay home alone? This question is challenging because it depends on the child's maturity. Ask yourself these questions to help inform your decision:

• Does my child know how to get help in an emergency, like calling 9-1-1 or going to a neighbor's house?
• Does my child have access to a phone and know who to call in an emergency?
• Have rules been established? Each house and family are different. When deciding on the rules for your family, you can consider your rules and preferences regarding:

🏡Allowing friends over

🏡Answering the phone

🏡Opening the door to visitors or deliveries

🏡If doors should remain locked

🏡Cooking (or establishing what appliances can be used)

🏡Checking in with a parent or caretaker at pre-determined times.

Remember: Not all children mature at the same rate. As your child grows older and stays home alone, you must ensure they follow established rules and possess the life skills to do so.

Washington County values a culture of equity, diverse perspectives, and life experiences. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration, and work-life harmony. We offer job stability, a comprehensive benefits package, and an opportunity to serve and support our diverse community.

Currently, there are multiple ways to build your career at WCSO. Meet with our Recruitment Team to learn more about your perfect opportunity.

Visit Washington County Jobs for more information and to apply today.