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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 7, 2020)
8A | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2020 | SIUSLAW NEWS COURTESY PHOTO Florence police officer Matthew Braaten shows one of the department’s 18 new Axon body cameras, which officers began using this week. Recordings by the cam- era are loaded onto a remote server by the Axon service independent of the officers. from 1B coverage of police inter- actions with the public The national attention on video-capture police body cams has become an important tool during civil disturbances and ri- oting this past summer, making the use of cam- eras by local police par- ticularly timely. The new body cams will allow for a marked- ly clearer record of all person-to-person inter- actions between local police officers and the public, while digitally ar- chiving the interactions. During a presentation made by Florence Police Chief Tom Turner to the City Council last Au- gust, Turner was clear in his support of the use of body cams and the add- ed benefits he expected for both his department and the public. “I am very proud of our department and I don’t hesitate in sharing and documenting our daily interactions with the public we serve. This strengthens police trans- parency, performance, accountability and it ultimately strengthens the policing profession,” Turner said in August. “The presence of cam- eras improves the per- formance of our offi- cers. We are giving our officers and the public a very helpful and infor- mative tool.” The use of body cams is regulated by the state of Oregon and FPD has additionally man- dated the activation of the body cams — also It also provides a re- cord of possible crimi- nal behavior and can be used for training and disciplinary reasons. In addition, it may also be used in the resolution of complaints against re- “This strengthens police transparency, performance, accountability and ultimately strengthens the policing profession.” —Florence Police Chief Tom Turner known as remote re- corders — in any of the following situations: • All enforcement and investigative contacts in- cluding stops and field interview (Fl) situations • Traffic stops includ- ing, but not limited to, traffic violations, strand- ed motorist assistance and all crime interdic- tion stops • Self-initiated activ- ity in which a member would normally notify the Communications Center • Any other contact that becomes adversarial after the initial contact in a situation that would not otherwise require re- cording The benefits of video recordings associated with police stops and other non-confronta- tional interactions al- lows the officers and the public to see and hear how these situations un- fold. We are open and ready to assist you! sponding officers. “One goal of this pro- gram is to continue pub- lic trust in the Florence Police Department by maintaining transpar- ency and accountability to our community,” said Police Commander John Pitcher. “Our Officers are very supportive of our body-worn camera program and welcome the benefits it will pro- vide to both the officers and the community.” Officers have no con- tact with the data stored after public contacts and all information is up-loaded to Axon. The agreement with Axon included the pur- chase of 18 cameras, one for each sworn officer of the department, and the coordinating equipment and technical support for the implementation of the program. The first-year cost of the program was $37,434. The on-go- ing technical, support, equipment replacement and evidence storage and management costs will be $18,580 per year. ends ” i r F “ t a h W That’s I s F or! The Friends of the FEC nonprofi t group advances Florence’s Arts, Culture and Entertainment by raising money so local arts groups can afford to use the venue and to offset FEC capital costs that would otherwise be paid by taxpayers. In 2019-2020 we provided: Video security system Upright Yamaha piano Professional quality wireless mics Miscellaneous audio equipment Table carts Landscaping improvements TOTAL $9925 $2500 $4200 $1500 $1500 $1000 VOTED Join us for a rewarding experience and get some “new Friends!” Johnston Motor Company Since 1939 715 Quince St. Florence, OR 97439 541-997-1994 | EventCenter.org F BEST O F LO E N C R Jim & Jerry Neil’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 541-997-3825 Certifi ed – Bonded – Insured Property Services Contractor #39458 • SAM: #831298500/7E6J9 City License #2578 “Our commitment is to our customers cleaning needs with honesty and integrity” Do you part and volunteer today to help support these organizations in our community. Every hand can make a difference! Create an extraordinary shopping experience as a Cashier, greeting customers and ringing up purchases or as a Donation Ambassador accepting ReStore donations and assisting customers. Call Floyd @ 541-997-5834. Assisting those in need in our Community. Free Hot Meals Mon-Wed-Fri 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM HELPING HANDS COALITION New Location:Community Baptist Church 4590 Hwy. 101, Florence (Across from Fred Meyer) Call 541-997-5057 to Volunteer $20,625 Funds come from members, sponsors, and money raised by our Winter Music Festival, Festival of Books, Indoor Garage Sale, and direct contributions. 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 9 201 E Police relies heavily on volunteers. Th ere are many opportunities to volunteer and a variety of skills and talents are always in need. Volunteer interest forms may be found online, at the shelter and at our Th rift Shop on Bay Street. www.oregoncoasthumanesociety.org/volunteer/ Saving men one PSA test at a time. 541-997-6626 maribob@oregonfast.net Someone to talk to... who understands! To include your organization in this directory, please call us @ 541-997-3441