News

The title of this article sparks the questions of, “safer than when?” and “measured by what standard?” Let’s start with the “standard” first.

MEASURED BY WHAT STANDARD?  INDEX CRIME

Since the 1930s, the FBI has been keeping track of “index” crimes.  Every year, local, state, and national law enforcement agencies report their jurisdictions’ crime statistics to the FBI.  The reporting is voluntary, although many states have passed laws requiring the submission of the data.  Index crime is the standard normally used to measure whether crime is going up or down.  There are 7 index crimes broken down into violent and property crimes. [ Read More ]

The Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance was asked, on short notice, to participate in the Citizen Initiative Review of Ballot Measure 73.  It was represented by members of Healthy Democracy for Oregon, the organization running the process, that the process would be fair.  Unfortunately, it became clear in the process that the panel of 24 citizens, who were required to impartially decide the issues and write a voters’ pamphlet statement, had not been screened for fairness and impartiality regarding Measure 73.  [ Read More ]

Case story

In January 2003, Sergeant Damon Coates, along with another Clackamas County Deputy, responded to a 9-1-1 call placed by Nick Teixeira’s family over their concern that, then 15-year old Teixeira’s mental state was declining.  When the officers arrived at the home of Teixeria, Coates asked him if he had any weapons, and he answered “no” but proceeded to shoot Sgt. Coates in the face with a stolen .45 caliber handgun.  

Tragically, Sgt. Coates, 49, suffered extensive injuries resulting in permanent disabilities and forced the end of his law enforcement career.  Coates served as a Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Clackamas County Sheriff’s office and was well liked and respected by those that worked with him.  Lars Larson, a friend of Coates, described the former PIO as a friendly, out-going, and warm-hearted man. [ Read More ]

The committee charged with the responsibility for writing the financial impact statement for the Oregon Crime Fighting Act completed work on July 30, 2010.  On behalf of the Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance, I monitored the process and suggested changes to the initial draft statement.  Several of my suggestions were adopted, and I helped craft the final language for the completed statement at the meeting last Friday.

 In short, the measure sets a 25-year mandatory minimum sentence for serious repeat sex offenders and makes the third conviction for drunken driving a felony with a mandatory minimum sentence of 90 days in jail. [ Read More ]

The Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance is uniquely positioned to move a public safety agenda forward and help make Oregon one of the five safest states in the nation. The OAA Board of Directors is composed of two former, experienced legislators, who understand how to change the law, as well as a retired sheriff’s department sergeant, who has extensive “on the ground” experience.  The professional staff of the OAA includes Tara Lawrence, a former District Attorney as the Executive Director.  The Senior Policy Advisor is a retired District Attorney, Doug Harcleroad, who served for 24 years in Lane County. 

OAA is currently working on projects in four issue areas: Intoxicated Driving, Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, and Prisoner Reentry. Progress in each of these areas will help improve public safety in Oregon.

[ Read More ]

Click here to listen to the interview.