Listening session dates and times:
After the conclusion of our digital survey and listening sessions, the Sheriff's Office will provide survey results and a summary of each meeting.
|
|
September is National Preparedness Month! One year ago Washington County was impacted by the Chahelam Mountain-Bald Peak and Powerline Fires n and many people had to evacuate their homes. Celebrate this preparedness month and honor those who were affected last year, by talking with your family and taking steps to prepare for an evacuation.
Wildfires are one of the main threats we face in Oregon, and due to their volatile nature can have a wide reach. Wildfires can start in a forested area and quickly make their way to nearby neighborhoods. Even when a wildfire doesn’t reach a neighborhood, it can impact us by putting unhealthy amounts of smoke and ash into the air, destroying landscapes, and making hills more vulnerable to landslides during the rainy season.
Wildfire risks include:
- Hazardous air quality
- Deforestation / burn scars
- Evacuation
- Property destruction
- Insurance premium increases
- Road closures and traffic delays
- Landslides (post-wildfire)
Wildfires can be started by escaped debris burning, a lit cigarette tossed on the ground, an unattended campfire, downed powerlines, or from natural causes like lightning. When there’s an increased chance of a wildfire starting and creating significant damage, officials issue a “red flag warning.” Officials often also issue burn bans to help lessen the risk of starting a wildfire.
|
|
Because wildfires are a risk here in Washington County, it’s important to be prepared. One of the best ways to be prepared is to make a plan; there is a lot to consider, such as:
- How will you communicate with your family?
- How does communication change if you’re together during the incident, or apart?
- What if you’re on vacation in the area where the hazard occurs? Or have family visiting?
- Do you need to plan differently based on different hazards?
- What supplies do you need?
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the different scenarios and what-ifs. Ready.gov breaks down planning into four steps: discuss with your family, consider specific needs in your household, fill out a family emergency plan, and practice. But even this might seem too time-consuming, so the activity above focuses on step one – discuss with your family. You can bring these questions up over dinner or before bed. We’ll also focus on making a plan for wildfires since September is right in the middle of wildfire season for Washington County.
|
|
Washington County has a new webpage to help provide information during an emergency incident! This webpage is updated whenever there is a countywide emergency like a wildfire and provides information about what’s going on, resources for impacted individuals (such as evacuation reception centers and shelter locations), animal support, road conditions, current alerts, and much more! Bookmark it now to easily access in case of an emergency: https://www.co.washington.or.us/EmergencyManagement/Incidents/index.cfm
|
|
DEPUTY INJURED BY IMPAIRED DRIVER |
|
On Saturday, September 4, at 2:53 a.m., two deputies were completing a DUII investigation on SW 185th Avenue in the community of Aloha. While one deputy placed the arrestee in the patrol car’s back seat, a fast-moving truck struck the patrol vehicle from behind, throwing the deputy to the ground about six feet away. She was treated at the scene by Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and Metro West Ambulance, then transported to a local trauma center. The adult in custody in the back seat was not injured. The adult male driver of the truck confirmed driving under the influence and was arrested by Beaverton Police Department.
Our injured deputy has now been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. She and the rest of our staff were touched by the outpouring of community support and concern. This is one of the too many examples of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Our staff remains dedicated to keeping impaired drivers off the road. As part of our commitment, all of our patrol deputies underwent refresher training in Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) enforcement last month. See also our Traffic Team Updates below for results of our targeted DUII Labor Day mission, and recent DUII related awards presented to two of our deputies.
|
|
Our multi-agency DUII Mission was a huge success. Our team made a total of 324 traffic stops over the Labor Day weekend. 100 citations were issued, and 23 drivers were arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII).
Special thanks to Beaverton, Hillsboro, King City, Tualatin, and Tigard Police Departments, Oregon State Police, W.C.C.C.A. 9-1-1, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for participating!
In August, deputies from WCSO made a total of 470 speed-related traffic stops thanks to grant-funded emphasis patrols. This includes 115 distracted driving stops and 48 DUII arrests.
|
|
ALCOHOL AND DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT AWARDS |
|
Recently, two of our patrol deputies received prestigious awards for their outstanding work keeping our roads safe from alcohol and drug-impaired drivers. The Oregon DUII Multi-Disciplinary Training Task Force presented the following awards during their annual Impaired Driving Training Conference on August 31:
2020 DRE-of-the-year awarded to Deputy Anel Ceric (pictured right)
A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) is skilled in detecting and identifying persons under the influence of drugs and in identifying the category or categories of drugs causing the impairment.
2020 DUII Enforcement Officer-of-the-year presented to Deputy Trever Cooley (pictured left)
Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) Enforcement Officers are dedicated to improving safety by decreasing intoxicated drivers through detection, arrest, and education.
These awards are highly esteemed honors, and we’re proud to have them both serving Washington County!
|
|
VIRTUAL ENGAGEMENT EVENTS |
|
Flexibility continues to be essential during these ever-changing times. In early August the Sheriff’s Office enjoyed a face-to-face gathering with the friendly Laurel Parc community. Over coffee and doughnuts, staff enjoyed this opportunity for lighthearted engagement and in-depth discussion on topics from traffic problems to email and phone scams targeting seniors.
Though we’d planned a series of these interactions, new COVID-19 safety protocols prevented us from meeting in person this month. Together, we devised a new plan to still gather over coffee with our friends from the Laurel Parc community - virtually. Our Elder Safe Program Specialist continued the fraud and scam discussion over Zoom and answered lots of great questions. We appreciate all opportunities for continued community engagement despite the necessary physical distance.
Do you have an upcoming virtual event you'd like our staff to attend? Send the invitation and details to our Public Affairs Unit!
|
|
SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT |
|
As Lenox Elementary students returned for their first day back in person, they were greeted by beautiful landscaping along with some special cheering and encouragement. This year, a Sheriff's Office team joined the project to “adopt” a school in support of our students. On August 19, Sheriff Garrett and a group of 12 other employees, volunteers, and family members met to beautify the school for reopening. All in a day's work, they weeded, spread bark-dust, and painted. |
|
On September 9, eight of the staff and volunteers returned to greet and welcome the students back, cheering and waving while displaying signs in English and Spanish. A volunteer adequately referred to our group as the “Lenox Cheer Team!” Lenox’s principal, Sarah Keller, said, “We are eager and excited to have the Washington County Sheriff’s Office support us in the beautification and welcoming students’ project!” The school staff, parents, and students were very appreciative of the clean look and the encouragement.
Here's to a great school year ahead for all our Washington County students!
|
|
With schools back to their daily bustle, kids are out and about and it’s a good time for both adults and children to review safety standards for driving and walking. We urge you to take the time to review the following safety points and share them with your children.
Driving
-
Obey all posted speed signs and school flashing lights. (Can’t remember when school speed zones apply? Watch this reminder from our Traffic Team)
- Stop a safe distance from school buses and do not proceed until the red lights stop flashing.
- Look out for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Buckle up, and NEVER text and drive!
Walking
- NEVER talk to or accept rides from strangers.
- Stop at the curb or edge of the pavement and look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT before crossing a street.
- Always use designated crosswalks and pedestrian signals.
- Do not cross in front of a vehicle unless you know for sure the driver clearly sees you and has come to a complete stop.
- Be familiar with your surroundings.
- Always obey the directions of crossing guards.
- Use sidewalks if available; if there is no sidewalk, walk on the left, facing traffic.
- Wear bright, visible colors, and during dusk or at night use reflective gear and carry a flashlight.
Let’s work together to maintain safe streets for all of us. We’re off to a great start and we wish you all a fantastic school year ahead!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
