Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (June 10, 2016)
JUNE 10, 2016, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A7 CRIME, continued from Page A1 More recently, Steele spot- ted a trend in the specifi cs of some area thefts. “Individually, the incidents probably wouldn’t have trig- gered anything, but we started seeing similar items taken, simi- lar points of entry and exit, and all those things came together to paint a bigger picture,” Steele said. It led to a major bust of a theft ring on Marino Drive North in January of this year. Cars, utility trailers, ATVs, quads and various wheels, compressors and numerous construction tools were recov- ered in the course of the inves- tigation. The trends in Keizer crime also have a place in recent dis- cussions regarding the need for more police offi cers in Keizer. KPD has 38 offi cers – ranging from beat cops to detectives – making it one of the least staffed police departments in Oregon for a city of its size. Teague would like to see two additional offi cers on the night shift and another detec- tive. If residents want more traf- fi c control presence, he would push for a fourth offi cer. “Right now, we don’t have the ability to contain bad guys category that includes person- to-person violence or theft of property. Only 64 of those in- volved violent actions. “Property crimes are always going to be the bulk of what we investigate,” Steele said. By looking at the crime numbers with a depth and breadth that had previously eluded KPD, Steele’s work led to recent break-ups of theft rings and one drug house that had been in service for more than two decades. In December 2014, KPD received a number of nuisance calls around a specifi c home on Juedes Avenue Northeast. However, the calls were com- ing in at different times during the day and being reported to different members of the four KPD offi cer shifts. “It wasn’t until Cara brought that (cluster of calls) to our at- tention that we realized we had a problem. From there we worked on a problem-oriented policing solution, wrote war- rants and were able to shut it down a month later,” Teague said. in a perimeter on the night shift,” Teague said. Studies of police services cannot connect the presence of more offi cers with a decrease in crime numbers, but it could make a difference in the quality of service, Teague said. “When we get one more detective, you’re going to have a detective show up at your house to investigate a burglary, not just a patrolman,” Teague said. The additional offi cers would also free up the current roster to investigate current and past crimes. There is only one unsolved murder in the his- tory of the city - Christine Michelle Speten in 2011 – but Kuhns contends it remains a solvable case. “More offi cers would free up time for us to be able to go back to the Speten homocide and bring a resolution to that case,” Kuhns said. That’s one area that the KPD’s associated crime num- bers can back up. Between 2014 and 2015, KPD increased its case clearance – in which an investigation is brought to some resolution, not necessar- ily an arrest – from 68 to 78 percent. possession of only trace amounts of controlled substances. “We’re shifting priorities away from felonies continued from Page A1 and to misdemeanors,” Clarkson said. “We also present some of those charged with lesser crimes for infractions related to livability issues, like with the opportunity to have the charges dis- criminal mischief or urinating in public, it’s missed if they show strides toward rehabilitation.” not uncommon for those contacts to result in Lt. Tad Larson, of the Marion County Sher- charges for possession of a controlled substance, iff ’s Offi ce, and Anne-Marie Bandfi eld, of the Clarkson said. Marion County Public Health Department, In the past, the vast majority of those cases explained how the CORT team has attempted were forwarded to district at- to take on mental health issues torneys and felony charges encountered by police offi cers were fi led. without immediate arrests and “That resulted in using jail jail time. space for people with substance “We have clinicians riding abuse problems and it created a along with offi cers as a team revolving door,” Clarkson said. to sites of disturbances,” said “We have people who aren’t Bandfi eld. “In addition to that getting treatment, getting re- we have case managers, crisis leased, ending up back in jail, prescribers and money to pro- and then prisons as they are vide wraparound services that charged with more, and higher stop the recycling that happens level, felonies.” with mental health issues that — Paige Clarkson result in jail time.” The “felony resumes” be- come an impediment to gain- Deputy District Attorney The result is lowered re- ing employment and housing, cidivism rates for mental health two of the primary factors that patients who stay connected to lead to homelessness. treatment, Bandfi eld said. “We’re trying to address a public health prob- Both programs are part of a shift in approach- lem with the criminal justice system,” Clarkson ing the problems related to homelessness, Clark- said. son said. It focuses on reducing harm for individ- In 2015, the DA’s offi ce began treating of- uals and the community rather than attempting fenders found with controlled substances differ- one-size-fi ts-all cures or hiding the problem ently. More than 850 felony charges were lodged individuals out of sight in correctional facilities. against those found in possession of a controlled “It requires redefi ning success, we’re no lon- substance, but another 555 charges were not fi led ger looking for perfection, we’re looking for bet- against fi rst-time offenders and those found in ter,” Clarkson said. ARREST, “We’re trying to address a public health problem with the criminal justice system.” Business&Services FOOT & ANKLE CARE Your Feet Are My Specialty Dean McNabb, DPM ABPS BOARD CERTIFIED Sports Medicine Foot Surgery Heel Pain Fractures Ingrown Nails Neuromas Warts & Orthotics Nail Fungus Hammertoes Diabetic Foot Care Bunions FUNERAL HOME LAWN SERVICES We are Everything Except Overpriced COMPLETE LAWN & GARDEN CARE Yard cleanups, mowing, pruning, bark dusting, and more! Simple Cremation $795 Inexpensive Burial and Funeral Options Pre-Planning Available PACIFIC NORTHWEST FOOT & ANKLE 4365 RIVER ROAD N, KEIZER On-Site Crematory 503.393.7037 Se habla español 4905 RIVER RD N - KEIZER - 503.390.0959 CR CR HEATING & COOLING CALL TODAY - 503.304.8849 CR MEMORY CARE MASSAGE YOUR COMFORT IS OUR BUSINESS Gas Furnaces Heat Pumps Air Conditioners Indoor Air Quality Ductless Heat Pumps CCB #193 064 CALL 503.304.1320 - 3816 River Rd N CR CR 0610 EVENT HOSTING PLUMBING NURSING & REHAB HOST YOUR EVENT AT FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR OVER 39 YEARS WEDDINGS • RECEPTIONS SOCIAL EVENTS 24-H OUR S KILLED N URSING • T HERAPY • W OUND M ANAGEMENT L ONG T ERM C ARE • D EMENTIA C ARE • A WARD W INNING A CTIVITIES D ELICIOUS H OMEMADE F OOD • L OVELY S URROUNDINGS • C ARING S TAFF Our family serving your family Visit the all new KeizerHeritage.org 4062 A RLETA A VE NE • K EIZER , OR • 503-390-2271 WWW .S HERWOOD P ARK . COM NC 0826 CR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS DIABETES REAL ESTATE Ken Ream 503-881-5335 Carolyn Ream 503-551-3656 Sandy Manning Principal Broker Creating Change Starts With Us! You have options — we are different. We go above and beyond what most Realtors will do. If selling, we help you paint, pressure wash, move you, and help you with staging your home. If buying, there are two of us always available to meet your needs and help you through the process. Real Estate Professionals Bob Shackelford Broker Manning/Shackelford Team Sandy 503-851-8246 Bob 503-983-4086 1220 20th St SE, Salem - SalemRealtors.net FIND OUT MORE AT www.KenReam.JohnLScott.com CR CR SAND & GRAVEL TURF & GARDEN NC VETERINARIAN VETERINARIAN Windsor Rock PRODUCTS Topsoil, Crushed Rock Round Rock Pea Gravel You haul or we deliver FITZMAURICE NOW OFFERING ACUPUNCTURE AND CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES FERTILIZER, INC. We Specialize in Fertilizers & Weed Control Owner 4975 River Road North D R .S HERI M ORRIS Keizer, OR 97303 Phone quotes We also carry Pest Control Products 503.390.5222 393-8920 824 Windsor Island Rd. N. • KEIZER 4195 Salem Industrial Dr NE Salem CreeksideVetKeizer.com Prompt Service - Saturday until noon CR wvah.net Mon & Fri: 8am - 6pm, Tue -Wed-Thu: 8am-9pm, Sat: 8am-4pm, Sun: 11am- 4pm 113 McNary Estates Dr N, Suite B – Next to Don Suklis State Farm Insurance 503-393-2121 0624 503-393-7462 0819 No Appt. Necessary CR B.Sc., DVM, Diplomate, ABVP
