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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 10, 2018)
PAGE A10, KEIZERTIMES, AUGUST 10, 2018 SAFETY, continued from Page A1 local police departments or through trained, armed private security. “As a dad, I wanted to see what I could do about (school safety). So I gathered informa- tion about what parents expect and what they would be will- ing to pay for it,” Lawyer said. “The data supports a new con- versation.” The survey put three ques- tions to respondents, do you support having additional school resource offi cers (SROs) or armed security in schools, would you support increas- ing additional police funding through fees to pay for the personnel and whether the re- spondent lives in Keizer. On the question of SROs and armed security, 52 percent of the 421 respondents said they wanted both, 28 percent said they would prefer SROs and 9 percent favored armed security. Only 9 percent said they wanted neither. Regarding funding, 29 per- cent said cost did not matter to them. Nearly 24 percent said they would be willing to add $3-$5 to the existing pub- lic services fee, 16 percent said they would support a $2-$3 increase. About a quarter of respondents didn't want to pay more for increased security. More than 91 percent of re- spondents lived in Keizer. “I understand that this is sensitive but, as a parent with two kids, I can't know I had a chance and chose not to ask the questions,” Lawyer said. While no formal requests were made, Lawyer and Kohler said they hoped to see the city engage with the Salem-Keizer School District regarding the results of the survey and, if the district does not act, potentially put the issue on the ballot for Keizer voters. “We aren't proposing one thing or the other, but the school district has chosen to ignore it. We can't sit around and do nothing,” added Kohler. Lawyer said the goal is not to create a punitive environ- ment, but to secure school campuses. City councilors responses were mixed. Councilor Roland Herrera asked how the survey was distributed. Lawyer, Kohler, Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark and state Rep. Bill Post all called for participation through Face- book, but Herrera said that re- sponses from his circle would likely be far different. Councilor Kim Freeman expressed concern over the limited number of responses and suggested making the topic central to a upcoming Com- munity Conversation hosted by the Keizer Chamber of Commerce. “I don't know if you plan to present this to the district, but I encourage you to do it. I, like a lot of folks, am concerned about school safety. Do you envision us hiring more police offi cers? I'm not sure how the jurisdictional issue and how it comports with the district,” said Anderson. Councilor Laura Reid, who is a teacher at McNary High School, took issue with the no- tion that the district was ignor- ing the problem. “To say that they haven't done anything or aren't listen- ing, isn't really fair. I would en- courage you, as you proceed, to reach out to (Superintendent) Christy Perry regarding the district's fact-fi nding and mar- ry the two,” Reid said. Even Keizer Police Chief John Teague chimed in when asked about his take on the proposals. “Our interest in being in the schools is not to enforce the law, it's to see the law enforced a whole lot less in the schools,” Teague said. “If increased se- curity is the goal, then they should have armed security. You can get a whole lot more armed security for your dollar than you do cops. Whether that is palatable to people, I don't know.” Teague said he could envi- sion an additional two SRO positions, but that would likely be the furthest reasonable ex- tension of what KPD can offer. SKEF wants city to pick up fi eld watering tab that physical education teach- By ERIC A. HOWALD ers are planning classes around Of the Keizertimes The Salem-Keizer Educa- the worst spots. “We would have to reseed tion Foundation (SKEF) is looking for fi elds to host its and level certain areas because youth soccer games, and has its the gophers are going wild,” eyes on the back 40 at Claggett Holland said. He estimated the Creek Middle School. How- campus could become home ever, organizers are asking the to three or four new fi elds. At press time, city staff didn’t city of Keizer to pick up the water tab if the plan goes for- have a bead on how much watering the Claggett fi elds ward. would cost, SKEF Ex- but doing so ecutive Direc- wouldn’t be a tor Krina Lee fi rst. Around and longtime the turn of the Keizer youth millennium, sports advocate volunteers re- Clint Holland inquired about — Krina Lee h a b i l i t a t e d the possibility SKEF Director fi elds at White- aker Middle at a meeting of School and the the Keizer City city paid the ir- council Mon- rigation bill for the next seven day, July 16. “We are desperate for facili- years. The contractual agree- ties. There were some week- ment only lasted fi ve years, but ends last year when we were in Keizer Public Works Director 10 different facilities through- Bill Lawyer said it took the city out Salem and Keizer,” Lee “some time to catch up.” Since then, the Salem-Keizer School said. Lee said SKEF and Holland District has been billed for the were willing to put forth the water used to maintain the time and effort to rehabilitate fi elds. To this day, cheers from the fi elds on the campus using the baseball and soccer fi elds volunteers and private dona- at Whiteaker can be heard for tions, but are trying to avoid blocks around the school. In exchange for rehabbing the school district incurring additional expense for water to the fi elds and establishing a maintain if improvements are concession stand to pay for continued maintenance, SKEF done. Lee said the fi elds at the would ask for fi rst right-of- school are in such poor shape refusal on Saturdays when its “We are desperate for facilities.” soccer season is in full swing. Lawyer and Holland believe that there are already two wa- ter meters near the fi elds, one for the school and one for the city, which would cut some of the costs associated with put- ting in new infrastructure. After the meeting, Lawyer said he would not support us- ing the park services fee the city collects on utility bills to cover the cost of watering the fi elds at Claggett. “The fees are intended for use in city-owned park prop- erties to increase the level of service, replace existing ame- nities and make additional im- provements to the parks system once we catch up on all of the deferred maintenance,” Lawyer said. City councilors seemed re- ceptive to the idea, but with- held any action while waiting to fi nd out what the exact costs to the city would be. “I think it’s something that we really do need. I think it would be awesome,” said Councilor Roland Herrera. Holland added he would be willing to assist in efforts to rehabilitate fi elds at Cum- mings Elementary School if a similar deal for water could be reached there. SPREE: More charges, arrests possible (Continued from Page A1) Berlin was transported to Marion County Correctional Facility where he was charged with three counts of burglary, three counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, possession of burglars’ tools, and tampering with physical evidence. He is alleged to have been in- volved in the buglaries at Sonic, Dairy Queen and Los Dos Her- manos. He has since been released from jail. Scott was charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary and possession of burglars’ tools. He is believed to have been in- volved in the Burger King burglary. Scott is still in custody at the jail. “We have reason to believe there may be more suspects involved and we know the criminal activity they engaged in extends beyond the city of Keizer. We are working closely with other law enforce- ment agencies,” Kuhns said. Additional charges for the two men arrested and additional ar- rests may be forthcoming.
