Dear Citizens,

The highly trained deputies assigned to the Sheriff's Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT for short) track and arrest offenders wanted for serious felony crimes.  The team also verifies that registered sex offenders in the county remain in compliance with the laws and their registration requirements.

When deputies cannot easily locate a specific wanted offender, they put their photo and information on the new Sheriff's Most Wanted site.  You can also run queries by zip code or gender, to narrow the list.

The photos on the page are all posted this week.  You just might see the photo of your neighbor, gas station attendant, or maybe a Facebook friend.  If you do, you can use the email links to share information about their friends, vehicles, work or school schedules, home address, or even the gym they use.  You can come back and visit periodically; the page will be refreshed often with new photos.

Remember, these people may be armed and dangerous, so do not approach them.  Instead, if you see them, call 911, or if you have information, use the links provided on the website.  Visit www.sheriffsmostwanted.com and click on Retrieve Photos to view all photos.  Then save it to your Favorites list.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe!       Sincerely, Sheriff Pat Garrett

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

Forest Grove Police Chief Kerry Aleshire will leave soon to be a lieutenant at the Beaverton Police Department.  Forest Grove is left with a very capable, strong police department, and wants to focus their remaining troops on law enforcement operations. 

After discussions by Sheriff Garrett with the Forest Grove City Manager, arrangements have been made to assign Chief Deputy Bill Steele as an interim chief for three to five months while the city recruits and hires a permanent chief.  Commander Willie Bose will assume most of Chief Deputy Steele's duties during this time.

Sheriff Garrett wrote to his staff, "The Forest Grove Police Department is a very professional organization with great officers.  We share duties on several interagency teams, have a solid partnership day-to-day, and very much appreciate fighting crime with them."  

Read the Forest Grove Police Department media release. 

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

Have you given personal information when "the bank" called about an account problem? Did a cashier ever skim your credit card number?  Even the Grandma Scam is making a comeback.  We hope your answer is, "No!"  Either way, Scam Jam will boost your savvy about protecting your finances and your identity!

Scam Jam is this Saturday, May 12, from 9:00 am to noon at PCC Rock Creek.  Come learn the tricks that put your hard-earned cash in the pockets of thieves.  Better yet, share this flyer and bring a friend.  Light refreshments will be served, and we always appreciate an RSVP.

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

On April 20, 2012, the Washington County Sheriff's Office was named the County 2011 DUII Enforcement Agency of the Year!  This is the seventh time the agency has received this honor from the Oregon Governor's DUII Multi-Disciplinary Training Task Force. 

The award acknowledges DUII prevention efforts, aggressive training and enforcement of DUII laws, and community education.  Our Deputies average 1,200 DUII arrests per year, offer SKID presentations at local schools, and work hard to raise awareness that driving sober saves lives.  

Sheriff Garrett acknowledges that DUII enforcement will continue to be a priority for the Sheriff's Office, especially as the number of drivers impaired by drugs and prescription medications continues to increase.  Nice work troops!

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

Many of us have seen home video clips where the parent is recording their cute little child practicing baseball, only to get hit by the ball or swinging bat.  On April 29, a photographer in Tigard took it one step further.  While trying to get the perfect shot of an ultra light aircraft as it was taxiing toward him, he was taken out by the wing when it struck him in the head and rendered him unconscious.  He was transported to OHSU with injuries that were not life threatening.  No, he didn't get the shot.

 

DUII Double-Header in Hillsboro

On April 14, a woman was pulled over by Hillsboro police for DUII.  She explained that she was driving because her husband was too intoxicated to drive.  She was taken to the jail and arranged for a responsible party to pick her up.  Unfortunately, it was her husband, who was still very drunk and swaying in circles.  When deputies asked if he drove to the jail, he said no, he had only driven his truck to the post office (across the street).  He was arrested for DUII on his way to pick up his wife.

 

Additional Cash Seized in Aloha Meth Bust

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

We have all driven behind cars in traffic that weave, cross the lane lines, or sway toward a ditch . . . and then they recover.  It's hard not to imagine the crash and know it could involve your vehicle.  Often the drivers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but even more often, they are under the influence of their cell phones.  Lately, motorists are actually flagging deputies down and pointing at cars whose drivers are distracted by texting, reading emails or books on readers, or just talking on the phone without a hands-free device.  Are you ever that person? 

Deputies have issued citations to 631 drivers so far this year for talking on the phone without a hands-free device or texting.  Do you really mean to choose a $110 ticket and a potential crash over a $50 hands-free device? 

If you can't talk hands-free, please turn off your cell phone before turning the key. 

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

Deputy Daniel DiPietro and his K9 partner Maverick responded on May 10, 2012, to assist an Oregon State Police trooper on a traffic stop on I-5 in Wilsonville.  The trooper requested a K9 unit to conduct a drug search. Maverick, a narcotics detection K9, went to work and quickly alerted to items in the trunk. As a result of the search, several large plastic bags were seized containing 17 pounds of marijuana with a street value of about $50,000, in addition to cocaine and drug paraphernalia.  Oregon State Police made the arrest.

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

When we think of the beautiful colors of spring and summer, it's hard to ignore that some of those colors can end up as ugly graffiti and tagging on walls, bridges, signs, park equipment, and even personal property. Do you know that you can report graffiti on personal or public property at any time? This kicks off action by our graffiti deputy! 

• Save this number on your cell phone: (503) 629-0111 for non-emergency dispatch. Report graffiti damage that you see on your way to and from home or work. 
• If you see kids or adults actively tagging property, call 911 to report it. 

In unincorporated areas (outside the cities), dispatch will notify the Sheriff's graffiti deputy who will take photos, document the incident, and investigate potential suspects. He can also give advice on removing paint from various surfaces, and tell you if inmate work crews can clean the damage in cases of homeowner disability. 

The graffiti deputy also works with businesses along the Max light rail line to clean up damage to their buildings. Often, these businesses are unaware they have been victimized until we call. 

If you see graffiti in a park or other public place, take ownership of the issue and report it to law enforcement. The Sheriff's Office, and normally local police departments, will coordinate with the appropriate public works department to have it cleaned up quickly. 

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

This story comes to us from one of our readers who is a CHL holder; we'll call him Charlie.

Several years ago, Charlie, one of our CHL holders, was sitting in a restaurant near the cash register when a patron skipped out a side door without paying his bill. The door was alarmed, and the racket of the alarm interrupted everyone's meal. As he departed, the patron announced loudly that he was "sorry".

Almost immediately, the patron returned through the front door and went crazy at the cash register. He had forgotten something on his table and he wanted it back (still without paying his bill, of course). He was shouting, cursing, and toppling displays of merchandise. He was very disruptive. The manager had his hands full. The patron eventually left and Charlie returned to his meal. 

The police subsequently interviewed Charlie as a bystander. While identifying himself, he showed the officer his driver's license and his Concealed Handgun License. When asked, he explained that although the patron's behavior had increased everyone's adrenaline level, Charlie saw no need to access or display his weapon because in his opinion, no one's life was endangered.

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

Parrett Mountain Farm is once again hosting the 7th Annual Poker Ride benefit for the Washington County Sheriff's Posse.

Each rider can purchase one poker hand for $6 or four for $20.  Riders receive five cards during the ride, and the object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the ride.  Sign up to join the fun!

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

This month's dumb crook went for a stroll across five lanes of a busy intersection against the crossing lights.  His saunter brought all lanes of traffic to a standstill.  When a motorist finally honked to hurry him along, our Dumb Crook decided to give the one-finger salute to his captive audience . . . in full view of the deputy who was stuck in the traffic with everyone else.  He and his finger were arrested for intentionally interfering with and obstructing vehicle traffic.

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

In our best effort to share information with the community, we offer public presentations or demonstrations about Sheriff's Office services or special teams throughout the year.

Please use the link below to request a speaker for your community group.  You may suggest a specific speaker, subject, or area of expertise.

One of our newest presentations is on Sex Offender Compliance - the laws and how the Sheriff's Office works to hold offenders accountable in our county.

Request a speaker today!

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

Andrew Simmons is 25-years-old, 5'11" tall and 200 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. He is wanted for Failure to Report as a Sex Offender having previously been convicted of Sexual Abuse. Mr. Simmons was last known to have lived in West Slope. Details.	Bryan White  is 28-years-old, 5'10" tall and 185 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He has a previous conviction for DUII; however, is currently wanted for Theft. Mr. White's last known address was in Metzger. Details.
Do not approach these individuals. If you see them or have information, call the Sheriff's Office Records Unit at (503) 846-2700, or non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)

CALEA Accreditation

The Washington County Sheriff's Office is proud of its national accreditation as of July 1, 2004, by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The Sheriff's Office is re-assessed every three years by a new team of inspectors. Our most recent inspection took place in May 2010, and we were reaccredited effective July 1, 2010.

Yes, I want to subscribe to the Sheriff's Office News!    Unsubscribe

(Vol_8 Issue_5-May, 2012)