Mayor’s Corner: March 2020

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Jason Snider, Mayor's Corner
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Stay home, stay healthy! Thank you for following the advice of public health experts for the greater good of the Tigard community, the region, and the state.

City staff is doing the same. With city buildings temporarily closed, staff members are embracing telecommuting with tools like Microsoft Teams, a telecommuting tracking app, virtual desktop, and Zoom meetings.

Our work continues because it is essential to your quality of life. We continue to issue building permits, offer e-library cards, maintain sewer lines, supply clean drinking water, and ensure our community is safe.

Ensuring a safe community cannot be done by telecommuting. It requires face-to-face interactions between police officers and community members. Our officers risk their health and safety every day. They don’t know who will answer the door during a welfare check or who’s behind the wheel in a speeding vehicle.

In the last month, as our community has worked to slow the spread of the coronavirus, officers have been balancing their ‘normal workload’ with responding to the impacts of the coronavirus on the community. Completing the normal workload creates the highest level of livability possible for the entire community. Responding to incidents like the following three requires additional time and precautions to ensure officer safety.

On Mar. 18, community members reported that multiple people were standing around an overturned black Ford Explorer, screaming and throwing glass. As officers arrived, the suspects fled the scene. With assistance from other area police departments, officers located the suspects, who were in possession of firearms, narcotics, and cash.

In early March, a man was reported to be suspiciously looking into car windows at an apartment complex. Officers located the suspect, who was driving a stolen truck, and arrested him for the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft, and possession of a controlled substance. Officers filled over 40 evidence bags of stolen items, including car parts, power tools, and clothing.

Officers responded to a suspicious death at a Tigard hotel on Mar. 6. An individual who had checked into the hotel was found deceased in his room. Officers spent countless hours investigating and processing the scene. They continue to investigate this incident and ask that anyone who may have seen or heard anything, call the tip line at 503-718-COPS (2677) or email tips@tigard-or.gov.

Successful policing during this unprecedented time requires the support of the entire community. I join the Tigard Police in thanking Rose City Distilling. This Tigard-based company has shown their support by manufacturing and then supplying our officers with hand sanitizer. This donation plays a key role in allowing our officers to maintain their safety and health while protecting your quality of life.

Your voice is as important as ever.
You may also contact me directly at jason@tigard-or.gov or 503-810-0269.

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