Keizertimes., June 25, 2021, Page 3, Image 3

JUNE 25, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3
KPD gets new role
in SKPS safety team
By ERIC A. HOWALD
Of the Keizertimes
School resource offi cers (SROs) may
be a thing of the past, but the Keizer
Police Department (KPD) will have a
prominent role in the next iteration of
school safety.
The Keizer City Council granted
approval for two contracts that will
result in a KPD offi cer on an interdis-
ciplinary team, dubbed the Safety and
Support Response Team (SSRT), ded-
icated to the success of “especially
unruly or threatening students.” A
KPD detective will be designated as
the Youth Safety and Support Offi cer
(YSSO).
The school district will fully fund
both positions and pay 50% of a super-
visor's salary at KPD. While the offi cer
assigned to the response team remains
unknown, Det. Chris Nelson, a long-
time KPD offi cer and detective, will be
the YSSO. Nelson will provide over-
sight for the SSRT position at KPD as
well.
At the council meeting, Lt. Andrew
Copeland lamented the sunset of the
SRO program, but said the new pro-
grams are a “best case scenario” in the
wake of the former eff orts.
“Removing the offi cers from the
schools will put more strain on the rela-
tionships because there will be patrol
offi cers showing up and they change
day-to-day. This is a workaround and
it’s better than being completely gone
[from the schools],” Copeland said.
The SSRT’s mission is “providing
preventive, inclusive, and culturally
sensitive solutions to these behaviors.
In all cases, it is the goal of the SSRT
to be a deterrent to discipline with the
focus on wrap-around services to aid
the student in their educational success
and success in their future as an adult.”
P LICE Scanner
Sunday, June 13
11:13 p.m. - Driving under the infl u-
ence of intoxicants at the intersection of
Verda Lane NE and Salem Parkway NE.
Monday, June 14
6 p.m. - Theft from motor vehicle in
the 1000 block of Northview Drive NE.
6:42 p.m. - Theft in the 6000 block of
Ulali Drive NE.
9 p.m. - Theft in the 3000 block of
Clearview Court NE.
11:36 p.m. - Arrest for reckless driving
and attempting to elude police offi cer in
the 1000 block of Meadowlark Drive NE.
Tuesday, June 15
8:30 a.m. - Unlawful entry to vehicle in
the 1000 block of Manzanita Street NE.
9:08 a.m. - Unlawful possession of
a fi rearm in the 6000 block of Keizer
Station Blvd NE.
5:15 p.m. - Theft from motor vehicle in
the 4000 block of River Road N.
9:18 p.m. - Shoplifting in the 5000
block of River Road N.
Friday, June 16
3:15 p.m. - Menacing use of weapons
in the 5000 block of River Road N.
10:24 p.m. - Sudden death in the 4000
block of Stinnett Lane NE.
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Saturday, June 17
12:45 a.m. - Restraining order violation
in the 300 block of Sandy Drive N.
9:56 a.m. - Aggravated assault in the
600 block of Cummings Lane N.
Sunday, June 18
12:08 a.m. - Criminal mischief in the
300 block of Sandy Drive N.
5 p.m. - Theft from motor vehicle in
the 1000 block of McGee Court NE.
Giving peace a chance
Bonnie Henny, Rich Bowers, Brian Lea, Rev. Gary Zerr, Pat Fisher, Jason Lewis and Jeff Da-
vis gathered XXX to plant a new Peace Pole at St. Edward Cathoic Church. Zerr performed a
blessing as part of the ceremony. Photo by LYNDON ZAITZ of Keizertimes