PAGE A8, KEIZERTIMES, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 CRIME, Continued from page A1 single spool. Lieutenant Andrew Copeland of the Keizer Police Department said the men would presumably strip the Romex wire and sell the valuable copper found inside. With two shopping carts full of wire, Copeland and Sullivan both estimate the value of stolen goods to be at least a couple thousand dollars. The overt crime is part of a larger issue of increased shoplifting during COVID, according to Copeland. “Once you’ve stolen from Lowe's once and know they can't stop you, there’s no real consequence,” Copeland said. “Second thing is, these people know they can’t go to jail." In an eff ort to reduce their population during COVID, many jails in Oregon aren’t taking off enders of certain crimes — theft being one of them. Copeland said in a case like this, the men would most likely be fi ned, cited and Photo by JOEY CAPPELLETTI of Keizertimes BUSINESS AND Services D I R E C T O R Y SPOTLIGHT B usinesses, especially small, owner-op- erated ones, are not banks and gener- ally can not aff ord to carry account balances for long periods of time. Commerce works best when customers pay their bills. Sometimes, after trying to collect debts, businesses must turn to professionals to help collect money owed to them. That’s when they can turn to Cascade Collections, Inc. Since March 1970, they have represented businesses in the collec- tion of past due accounts including resolu- tion of disputes and payment negotiations. Cascade Collections, Inc. 1375 13th Street SE • Salem • 503-364-0455 President Lorie Roberts and Vice President Sharina Martin, together with their profes- assigned for collection. “This is a notice sent collection agency, dedicated to the success on our own letterhead giving the consumer of their clients through the highest level of a fi nal 30 days to remedy their debt and deal professional and ethical collections proce- directly with our client,” Roberts explains. dure providing their customers the best rate “We off er our clients help in establishing a There is a small cost to our client, however, of recovery on their past due accounts. billing and collection procedure time sched- 100 percent of the money collected during ule to help increase the best rate of return the initial 30-day period goes directly to the for them,” says Roberts. client; there is no commission owed during sional staff gather information, follow up on investigations and, when necessary, use legal means to ensure repayment. this period. Cascade Collections tation of our industry and add to the health of our economy. We represent our clients with integrity and treat our customers with Cascade Collections off ers a letter writing service prior to a past due account being “Our mission is to maintain a positive repu- is a full-service respect,” Roberts says.