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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2020)
NEWS A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 County jail population down nearly 25% during pandemic By ALEX CASTLE STAFF WRITER Population at the Uma- tilla County Jail in Pendle- ton has dropped nearly 25% from its usual daily average since the COVID-19 pan- demic has led to more con- ditional releases, fewer peo- ple being booked into jail and a majority of court pro- ceedings being put on hold. According to Uma- tilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan, the jail’s daily pop- ulation has hovered around 160 in recent weeks, which is a decrease of about 50 people from the usual daily average of 212. The reduction is the result of a combination of efforts to reduce the risk of the virus spreading through the close-quartered facility, including local law enforce- ment showing greater dis- cretion when deciding to arrest or cite someone. “I really appreciate local law enforcement for step- ping up and being a part of the solution,” Rowan said. Agencies and depart- ments from Morrow County to Wallowa County house individuals at the Umatilla County Jail, and so each has played a role in the reduced population. Those efforts were cou- pled with Rowan and his jail HH fi le photo Inmates are processed in the intake area on the Umatilla County Jail in October 2018 in Pendleton. Population at the jail has dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. staff evaluating its popula- tion at the onset of the out- break and each person in custody who was already at an elevated risk to COVID- 19 because they’re over 60 years old or have underlying health conditions. Rowan said eight peo- ple who fi t the criteria were identifi ed, and two of them have been released. Another was transported to a men- tal health facility where he could receive treatment and be at a lower risk, while the other fi ve remain in custody. Other conditional releases have been granted after a standard evaluation of the severity of charges currently being held on, criminal history and history of appearing for scheduled court dates. While the local jail pop- ulation began to decline weeks ago, The Oregonian reported last week that Gov. Kate Brown had requested information from county offi cials about the potential early release of inmates in state prisons. According to a Friday report, 3,244 prison- ers were identifi ed as poten- tial early release candidates due to age, health conditions or time remaining on their sentence. As the state evaluates reducing its own prison pop- ulation, any releases are unlikely to be followed by more reductions at the Uma- tilla County Jail. “At this time, we don’t have plans for any additional releases,” Rowan said. In the event that an inmate is suspected of being sick, Rowan said they have some segregation units, which are usually utilized for disciplinary functions, or for inmates with men- tal health conditions and or going through detox, where inmates could be quarantined. Umatilla County District Attorney Dan Primus and his offi ce have also played a role in the reduction efforts by closely evaluat- ing bail amounts and condi- tional releases for those fac- ing lesser charges for crimes like misdemeanor thefts, drug possession or failing to appear in court. “We’re trying to do our part to balance the pub- lic health concerns with the public safety concerns,” Pri- mus said. Court proceedings have ceased for any defendant that isn’t currently in cus- tody, Primus said, which accounts for a majority of cases. According to him, less than 40 people currently at the jail are awaiting tri- als, nearly all of whom are charged with Measure 11 crimes. Measure 11 crimes include murder, manslaugh- ter and sex abuse and carry mandatory minimum sen- tences without possibility for early release. But while most cases are put on hold for the moment, defendants still have a con- stitutional right to a speedy trial. That right is often waived in order for the defense to prepare its case, but Primus is concerned about the potential health risks if they don’t. “What are we going to do when we actually need to bring a jury in?” Primus said. Pandemic complicates court- Hermiston Police Department gets a new set of wheels ordered community service HERMISTON HERALD By JADE MCDOWELL NEWS EDITOR For anyone with court-ordered community service hours to complete, it hasn’t been easy to fi nd opportunities in the age of social distancing. Usually, people can get their hours in at nonprofi ts such as the Agape House or PAWS. But Dawn Skinner, supervisor at Umatilla County Community Cor- rections, said many agen- cies are not currently tak- ing volunteers in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to com- ply with Governor Kate Brown’s executive order for everyone to stay home as much as possible. Salvation Army’s thrift store is currently closed, for example, and Hermis- ton’s community garden has delayed its opening in order to keep people away from the Good Shepherd Health Care System cam- pus where the garden is located. “Everyone’s kind of in the same situation at the moment,” Skinner said. She said some places may still be taking volun- teers, and people are wel- come to check, but she is hesitant to tell people that’s what they have to do, since everyone should be reduc- ing their time spent in pub- lic right now. For people who still have a lot of time left on “THE COURT HAS BEEN PRETTY FORGIVING.” Dawn Skinner, supervisor at Umatilla County Community Corrections their deadline to complete all their hours, Skinner said she’s telling them “not to stress about it” for now. For people who are coming up on their dead- line and still need to com- plete more hours, she has been directing them to talk to the court, which has the authority to make accommodations. “The court has been pretty forgiving,” she said. Skinner said, like every- one, Umatilla County Community Corrections has been making adjust- ments to enforce social dis- tancing in its buildings. Since March 19, all county offi ces have been closed to visitors, with staff available over the phone and by appointment when necessary. Community Corrections can be reached at 541-276-7482. we anticipate this vehicle will be in service with us for many years,” he wrote. The department was pre- viously planning on using a retired ambulance donated by Umatilla County Fire District #1, but that vehi- cle met an unfortunate end when it was parked at a mechanical shop awaiting repairs when a driver lost control and crashed into it at “highway speeds.” The ambulance was totaled. The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. www.eomediagroup.com priorities A hundred years from now it will not matter what My bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in the Life of a Child. W EEK Troubles is a sweet senior. She is approx. 12 years old. Great with dogs, fine with cats. Has skin allergies and takes Apoquel for it. She absolutely loves people and loves to snuggle. She is looking for a comfortable home to retire to. Especially in critical times, newspapers have your back. From the actions your local government is taking, to lists of local stores that are delivering and tips on what to do while you’re at home, your local newspaper is committed to bringing you the news you need, when you need it. MEET TROUBLES Mark Sargent, DVM • Brent Barton, DVM Eugenio Mannucci, DVM, cVMA • Jana von Borstel, DVM, cVMA Small and Large Animal Care 541.567.1138 We are grateful for those who have our back in this important time. The list is long, but we want to thank our first responders and front-line workers. COVID-19 is a national story that is impacting you at home and at work. Your local newspaper is keeping you informed with current events in your neighborhood and is bringing communities together in these challenging times. PET OF THE Mon: 8-6 Tue - Fri: 8-5 Sat: 8-12 Emergency Service The Hermiston Police Department has a new crime mobile. The department has ret- rofi tted a 2001 Dodge die- sel as a crime scene vehi- cle stocked with equipment for the department to col- lect evidence at large or complicated crime scenes, according to a Facebook post from the department. The enclosed truck can also be used during warrant sweeps or as a mobile com- mand post. According to the post by Lieutenant Randy Stude- baker, the department got an “amazing deal” on the vehicle from Umatilla Electric Cooperative. The truck was in good mechanical condition, he said, but it no longer served UEC’s purpose for it. “We’re thankful for our partnership with UEC, and 80489 Hwy 395 N Hermiston www.oregontrailvet.com Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, animal shelters need our help more than ever. Please donate to your local shelter, or offer to foster an animal in need. If interested please go to fuzzballrescue.com and fill out an application. If you are not able to adopt, but would like to foster or donate, visit fuzzballrescue.com or you can mail in donations to Fuzz Ball Animal Rescue, PO Box 580, Hermiston, OR 97838 WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER Support your local newspaper. Subscribe in print or online. America’s Newspapers is a national association supporting journalism and healthy newspapers in our local communities. Find out more at www.newspapers.org or follow us on Twitter @newspapersorg or on Facebook @americasnewspapers.
