THE SPOKESMAN • TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022 A3
Opinion
Write to us: news@redmondspokesman.com
OUR VIEW
Invest in the future
of the Redmond
Police Department
Bulletin/Spokesman Editorial Board
The police in Redmond need a
building that fits.
The department’s current office
was built for 36 people. The depart-
ment now has more than 60. That
needs to change. Redmond is not go-
ing to stop growing.
Walk in the building today and
there is no real privacy for some-
one who wants to tell police about a
crime. That needs to change.
The building today does not have
equal facilities — bathrooms and
locker space — for male and female
officers. That needs to change.
Evidence has to be stored in differ-
ent places around town. That works,
but that should change.
Police officers have no secure
parking location for their vehicles.
That should change.
And it would sure be nice for a
space to be available in the parking lot
for safe exchanges for child custody
or internet purchases between people.
We urge Redmond voters to
invest in the future of their police
department. Give the police a
building that fits the department’s
needs and the community’s needs,
and one that is ready for the
future.
The existing building can’t be ex-
panded. There is not sufficient park-
ing for the future. And being an older
building, maintenance costs keep
adding up.
An answer to these needs is going
to be on the ballot in May. Redmond
voters will get to choose if they want
to support a $40 million bond to
build a new police headquarters. The
total estimated cost of the building
is $49 million but the city is putting
in money and there are some federal
dollars, as well.
Ryan Brennecke/ Bulletin file
The site of the proposed police station, located at 2983 NW Canal Blvd in Redmond in July 2021.
For taxpayers, the average as-
sessed value of a home in Redmond
is $203,000. At a $.73 rate per $1,000
of assessed value it works out to a bit
over $12 a month for that average
home. It would be a 20-year bond.
The building would be built at
2983 NW Canal Boulevard, which
is now owned by the city. It’s about 8
acres. It will give room for expansion.
Police Chief Devin Lewis told us
the building would be built so that it
can be expanded. The city is looking
at making it energy efficient. And
he wants to ensure connections will
be in place to support the needs of
a modern computer-run office and
compatible with the county’s digital
radio network.
If all goes well, the department may
be able to move in the summer of 2024.
We urge Redmond voters to invest
in the future of their police depart-
ment. Give the police a building that
fits the department’s needs and the
community’s needs, and one that is
ready for the future. More informa-
tion from supporters of the bond is
available here: neighborsforasafered-
mond.com.
Your View
Support for public
safety bond
I want to let the citizens of
Redmond know that we are
need of a police safety build-
ing.
When I was first voted
onto council in 1999 it was
right at the time of construc-
tion of a new police station.
Redmond’s population was
close to 14,000. We have
more than doubled to the
current population of 36,000
in the city of Redmond. We
have many more staff, more
police cruisers, more equip-
ment and have an overall
need for space.
The building being looked
at would be built to last 30
years. It would be built at a
location that has expansion
potential. If you know me
you know that I watch the
budget closely and look to
control the taxes and fees for
our citizens the best way pos-
sible. I truly believe there is
a need for this police safety
building, please vote yes on
this bond.
— Jay Patrick, city councilor,
Redmond
Public safety is an import-
ant part of a thriving commu-
nity, and we are fortunate to
have many excellent men and
women serving Redmond. In
order for police officers and
support staff to do their best
work, they need proper facil-
ities and working conditions.
They are doing their best with
what they have now, but that is
not sustainable as the depart-
ment and community needs
continue to grow.
Thankfully, during the elec-
tion this May we’ll have the
opportunity to support Red-
mond’s police department so
they may continue their ex-
cellent service in a better facil-
ity. The current Police Station
downtown is far too small,
and its systems are failing. The
current police station was de-
signed for 36 people, today
we have 60+ officers and staff.
The new facility will provide
many community benefits in-
cluding improved privacy for
victims of crime to meet with
officers; enhance the ability for
public safety and county part-
nerships to assist people in
mental health crisis; provide
secure parking and evidence
storage; and provide the pub-
lic and officers with a safe and
modern facility to serve the
needs of our growing com-
munity.
As someone who has ex-
perienced a home burglary,
and who has law enforce-
ment family members, this
bond is close to my heart. As
a Redmond resident, mother,
grandmother, and active se-
nior, I want everyone to feel
safe in our hometown com-
munity. Please join me in vot-
ing “Yes” on Measure 9-145
and support building a new
public safety facility in our
Redmond.
— Bev Clarno, former Oregon
secretary of state, Redmond
designed for half as many
people. They have outgrown
the downtown station and
there is not an option to ex-
pand, plus, the building is
aging with costly repairs an-
nually. A new facility will
cost less to maintain and will
meet the need of Redmond’s
population growth and pub-
lic safety needs for at least 30
years. The proposed location
of the new facility on NW
Canal Blvd will also support
future expansion needs be-
yond the 30-year growth win-
dow.
Measure 9-145 is a smart in-
vestment for our community,
and the time is now. Not only
is there urgency to move Red-
mond PD into an adequate
facility, but interest rates are
still low. Also, Redmond City
Council was able to leverage
City and federal funds and cap
the project costs. Please join
me in voting “yes” on Measure
9-145 and supporting the con-
struction of Redmond’s new
public safety facility.
— Angela Boothroyd,
Redmond
Central Oregon has
excellent stroke
recovery services
Seven years ago, I had the
misfortune of suffering a
stroke resulting in hemipare-
sis. Without the exceptional
care of St. Charles and their
acute stroke program and re-
habilitation programs, I would
never have gotten back to
where I am today.
Recently, a dear family
friend of mine in a prestigious
area of California suffered a
stroke and I was down there to
help her and her family nav-
igate the next steps in her re-
covery process. I spent many
hours with them in the inpa-
LETTERS AND COLUMNS
Join in on the topics we’re covering. The Spokesman welcomes let-
ters to the editor and guest columnists.
Submissions may be edited or rejected for clarity, taste, libel and
space. They must be signed and include an address and a telephone
number where the writer can be reached during business hours. Full
addresses and phone numbers will not be published. For more in-
formation, call 541-633-2166.
To submit, email is preferred: news@redmondspokesman.com.
Submissions can also be mailed to: P.O. Box 6020, Bend, OR 97708
tient rehabilitation center at
the Southern California hos-
pital and was disappointed
by the care she received com-
pared to what would have
been available to her at St.
Charles Bend.
As the co-founder of the
nonprofit Stroke Awareness
Oregon, I felt impelled to
write this letter to educate
and acquaint Central Oregon
residents we have a premiere
stroke diagnosis and recovery
program right at our door-
step. We are very fortunate to
have the resources and ser-
vices provided by St. Charles
available to stroke patients in
our community. I applaud Joe
Sluka, president and CEO of
St. Charles Health System and
his team. I only wish I could
have transferred my friend to
St. Charles.
— Lawnae Hunter, Co-
founder, Stroke Awareness
Oregon, Bend
A safe place to live, work,
attend school, and play is fun-
damental for a community.
When people feel safe, they
can engage, grow, and give
back. And the safety of our
community hinges on our lo-
cal law enforcement’s ability
to serve well. That’s why I am
voting “yes” on Measure 9-145
this May and support building
a new public safety facility in
Redmond.
Redmond’s 50 police offi-
cers and 14 support staff are
currently working out of the
downtown station which was
Get great
service &
great rates.
Protecting the Rights of All Community Members
Joe A Lochner Ins Acy Inc
Joe A Lochner, Agent
www.joelochner.com
Redmond, OR 97756
Bus: 541-548-6023
“I’ve dedicated my career to justice and public safety and believe the
criminal justice system must protect the rights of every person in our
community. It would be an honor to serve as your District Attorney.”
- Steve Gunnels
stevegunnelsforda.com
Paid for by Steve Gunnels for DA ID - 21626