Ask a CopThe following are past "Ask a Cop" questions and their answers. The date listed by the question is the date that the response was written. This means that the answer has not been modified (if necessary) to reflect changes in the law since it was written. As a reminder, these questions and answers are provided as general information only; they are not intended to be legal advice. To ensure that you have the most accurate legal information, you should consult a licensed attorney. What is the penalty if you leave a restaurant without paying for a meal? (9/27/2006) What happens to people who provide a place for minors to drink? Can they go to jail? (6/29/2005) Why isn't skateboarding allowed in some of Lake Oswego's parks? (9/18/2008) Is it legal to park in the street in front of someone's house? (12/10/2008) What can the police do about all the coyotes that have been seen in town? (12/10/2008) What is a Community Service Officer? (10/28/2008) What are attractive nuisances? Does the Lake Oswego Code address these problems? (2/26/2007) What do I do if someone has broken in to my car? (7/20/2008) What are the dangers of leaving your dog in a hot car? (7/15/2008) Do Lake Oswego Police respond to crimes at PCC? What types of crimes occur there? (1/25/2006) What is the penalty if a person's dog gets loose by accident? (12/31/2008) Who has to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle in the street? (3/4/2007) Do I have to have a front license plate on my car? (1/10/2007) When is protective headgear required when riding a bicycle? (2/7/2007) Where does the money go when I pay the fine on a ticket? (5/11/2006) Is it legal to ride your bike on the highway? (9/17/2008) What is the penalty for kids under 18 who are caught with cigarettes? (3/6/2006) What is the law about parking on the sidewalk? Can police take action? (11/20/2006) What constitutes a misuse of 911? (8/30/2005) What do the stripes on police officer's uniforms mean? (7/21/2008) What is the penalty for graffiti? (12/10/2008) Do police radar guns cause cancer? (10/18/2005) How loud is too loud for a stereo in your house or car? (1/1/2006) What crimes increase in the summer months? (6/30/2005) Since Lake Oswego Police got Tasers®, have they been used often? Why or why not? (8/21/2005) What happens if someone under the age of 21 is caught drinking? (6/23/2008) What does a person have to do to become a Police Officer? (9/5/2005) What does a School Resource Officer do? (9/22/2009) Are there any laws governing driving a car while talking on a cell phone? I can't tell you how many bad (and discourteous) drivers I have seen who are jabbering away on the phone while not paying attention to fellow motorists. At times it seems really dangerous. (1/1/2010) Until recently, there have been no specific traffic laws in Oregon that govern the use of cellular telephones (termed "mobile communication device" under the law) by people operating motor vehicles. It is possible that a city could pass a city ordinance governing their use by motorists, but Lake Oswego does not have such an ordinance. Many other countries, and a few other states and cities in the U.S., have banned cell phone use by drivers. The law in Oregon had prohibited drivers under the age of 18 from using mobile communication devices, but that changed on January 1, 2010. On January 1st, Oregon House Bill 2377 (and the amended version of ORS §811.507) went into effect. Under this new law, drivers of all ages can be cited for using a mobile communication device (talking or texting on a hand-held cell phone). In Lake Oswego (and other jurisdictions in Oregon), drivers who violate the law could face a base fine of $142. HB 2377 also establishes this as a primary offense, meaning that a police officer may stop a driver solely for using a cell phone without using a hands-free accessory. There are a number of exceptions in the new law where this rule does not apply:
The use of cell phones by drivers can certainly create hazardous situations. We recommend that if you are driving down the road and receive or need to place a call that you find a safe place to pull over, and stop. Do this in a manner that does not impede or interfere with other traffic. If you are not in a location where you can safely do this, take the call or place the call at a later time. Recent studies have shown that cellular telephone use by motorists is sharply on the rise. To cite a very recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/nhtsa_cell_phones.html): "In 2004, at any given daylight moment, an estimated 8 percent of all motorists in the U.S., or about 1.2 million drivers, were using cellular phones (both hand-held and hands-free) while operating their vehicles. This compares to 6 percent in 2002 and 4 percent in 2000. The survey also estimated that 5 percent of motorists in 2004, or about 800,000 drivers, were using hand-held cellular phones at any given daylight time, compared to 4 percent of drivers in 2002 and 3 percent in 2000." A more recent study conducted at the University of Utah was released in 2006 that shows "motorists who talk on handheld or hands-free cellular phones are as impaired as drunken drivers." Information on this study can be found on their news and information web site (http://www.unews.utah.edu/p/?r=062206-1). Volumes of additional documents and data can be found online by doing a Google search for "cell phone driving study." Even if a driver who is talking on or using a mobile device is not stopped and / or issued a traffic citation for the sole act of using the phone while driving, the driver is likely to commit a number of other traffic offenses (especially not using turn signals, and even careless driving) while their attention is divided. Above all, use common sense and drive safely at all times. When you are using an out-of-state cell phone and dial 9-1-1, where does the call go and how can you be sure you will reach the local police department? (8/31/2006) Cell phone 9-1-1 calls are routed based on geographic information. If the phone you are using is a "phase 2 wireless" phone (new enough to have the 9-1-1 GPS feature), then the call should go to the closest 9-1-1 center based on the actual location of the phone at the time the call is placed. If the phone isn't a "phase 2 wireless" phone (it doesn't have the 911 GPS feature), then the call goes to the closest 9-1-1 center based on the location of the cell tower the call hits when the call is placed. So, whenever you call 911 from a cell phone, the call should come through to one of the local 9-1-1 centers. If you are in the Lake Oswego / West Linn / Milwaukie areas, your calls come to our 9-1-1 Center. If you are out traveling in the local area, but outside our jurisdiction your call may be directed to one of several 9-1-1 centers: Clackamas County, Washington County, or Portland. All of our centers are closely tied and can transfer calls to the other with a one button transfer feature. Your area code should not impact your 9-1-1 call. There are times when wireless calls are improperly routed, but the vast majority of the time the calls are routed as mentioned above. These problems were more prevalent in the early days of wireless phones, but with the rapid advancements and improvements made of the last several years, they are rare. What is the penalty if you leave a restaurant without paying for a meal? (9/27/2006) Leaving a restaurant without paying for a meal is theft. The level of the crime depends on the amount of the bill though. If the bill is less than $50, then the crime is a Theft 3, which carries a maximum of 6 months in the county jail and $3,500 in fines. If the amount is over $50, then the crime is a Theft 2 that carries a maximum penalty of up to 1 year in Jail and a maximum fine of $7,500. There are certain circumstances when this could constitute a felony also. If the person is attempting to leave without paying for their meal, someone tries to stop them, and then the suspect uses or threatens to use physical force or a weapon when attempting to escape, then this could constitute a robbery. This would then be a felony with substantially longer jail time and higher fines as possible outcomes. What happens to people who provide a place for minors to drink? Can they go to jail? (6/29/2005) The idea of opening your home to juveniles as a "safe" environment for them to drink while in the presence of adults comes up regularly in Lake Oswego, typically during the late spring and early summer time. This idea has lead to unfortunate mishaps across the country, where homeowners have been held responsible for the choices of others within their own homes. In Oregon, doing just this is considered a serious violation. As referenced under Oregon Revised Statute §471.410: No person exercising control over private real property shall knowingly allow persons under 21 years of age to consume alcoholic beverages on that property, unless the person under 21 years of age is a child or ward of the person exercising control over the property. Persons violating this subsection of the law (which also includes providing liquor to persons under 21), upon first conviction will be subject to a mandatory minimum fine of $350 dollars; however, upon second conviction or subsequent convictions, the mandatory minimum fine imposed under Oregon Law will be $1,000 dollars. Be safe and have a great summer! I heard something recently about a new program called "CodeRed." Can you explain what it is? (1/3/2006) The CodeRed Emergency Telephone Calling System is a high speed communication service the City of Lake Oswego purchased for emergency notifications to the public. CodeRed uses internet mapping capability to target a specific geographic area or areas. Then using that target area, delivers a customized pre-recorded message via phone to homes and businesses at a rate of 60,000 calls an hour. CodeRed is a tool the city will use to notify the public in cases of Natural Disasters or other Environmental emergencies (Fires, Floods, Mudslides and Chemical spills), Crime related incidents (prisoner escapes and Amber alerts), as well as Search or Rescue related events (Missing children, Missing elderly or Missing persons with disabilities.) There are endless possibilities for this service. Because CodeRed was built using listed telephone numbers, individuals with unlisted numbers, voice over internet (VOIP) and cell phones will not be in the system. The City currently has a database containing 15,500 numbers. This means we still need the assistance of 22,000 households as well as business owners and residents that live within the fire district around the city to register their phone numbers. Anyone needing to register can go online to the CodeRed Website at https://login.coderedweb.com/codereddataentry/Default.aspx?groupid=Jg77Psta94qdWKkhfzI2dA%3d%3d If anyone has any further questions regarding CodeRed or need assistance registering your number you can call the Citizen Information Center, Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm at 503-635-0257. I have a teenager who will be getting their drivers license soon. What are the laws regarding a provisional driver license? (8/27/2006) There are several restrictions on a Provisional Drivers License that are listed in Oregon Vehicle Code §807.122. These restrictions apply until the person is 18 or they have had their license for one year, whichever comes first. All provisional licenses are restricted as follows:
There are a few exceptions to the above restrictions that deal with driving for employment purposes. Although these exceptions don't apply to the majority of provisional drivers, if there is any doubt you are encouraged to contact the police department for further clarification. Why isn't skateboarding allowed in some of Lake Oswego's parks? (9/18/2008) Many of us may have attempted to stand on a skateboard at some point in our life, but have to admit our greatest performance was an unintentional "fakie" that resulted in a "slam". Translation, we went backwards and fell. Skateboarding is a popular activity in the City of Lake Oswego. If you have ever stood on a skateboard, then you probably realize the work and practice proficient skateboarders have devoted to this activity. I mention this because I want to make it clear that the City of Lake Oswego is not against skateboarding or skateboarders. Many types of people enjoy this activity and it is something they should be able to continue to enjoy. However, such as with anything that takes place on public property, there are rules that need to be followed to ensure safety and the protection of property. The most frequent complaint I have heard about skateboarding relates to damage. Not the damage caused to the skateboarder from "bailing" on an "airwalk", resulting in a "hipper". I mean property damage. Damage to City property is a serious issue. It can cost a city thousands of dollars to replace rails, benches, curbs, and other "obstacles" a skateboarder finds that are used for "grinds", or sliding the skateboard along the edge of the "obstacle", while street skating. The City of Lake Oswego bestows a lot planning, time, and maintenance to the parks so they remain beautiful and inviting places for everyone to enjoy. When damage occurs, it is essential to restore the item as soon as possible to prevent deterioration and signs of neglect so that the park remains welcoming as intended. The potential dangers of hazardous skateboarding on a path used by pedestrians should also be mentioned. We really want to discourage the probability of that sort of crash. Beyond hurting another person, a skateboarder or their parents could be responsible for some serious medical bills or lawsuit. The City of Lake Oswego has implemented Lake Oswego Code §32.10.601, Requirements for Operation of Skateboards, Skates, and Similar Devices. One of the prohibitions listed in this code is operating a skateboard in any area where a sign is posted, marking the location of the designated area. Also, Lake Oswego Code §34.12.600, Violation of Park Rules, prohibits skateboarding in any Lake Oswego City Park that contains signage prohibiting skateboarding. If you are the guardian of a child under the age of 18, and they are in violation of either mentioned code, you are responsible. A citation may be issued for failing to comply with these sections of Lake Oswego Code. In addition, if a Police Officer determines the actions of a skateboarder to be in violation of Lake Oswego Code, the skateboard may be seized until disposition of the charges. Please, always be aware of signs and laws, be respectful to property and members of the public, and protect yourself with all required safety equipment. The City of Lake Oswego has a skate park located on the corner of Pilkington and Willow. For more information about Lake Oswego's Skate Park, please contact Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation at (503) 697-6500. I see a lot of people driving in the center lane (between the yellow lines), is this legal? What is the reason for that lane? (4/13/2006) I believe the center lane you are referring to is a "continuous left turn lane". It is referred to as a "two-way (shared) left turn lane" in the 2005-2006 Oregon Driver's Manual. This lane is provided for making left turns. Use this lane only to make a left turn, unless there is a dedicated left turn lane. A driver is to enter the continuous / two-way shared left turn lane just before you want to make the left turn. If one enters too soon, you may interfere with another driver's use of the lane. Wait in the lane until traffic clears and you can safely complete the turn. You may turn from a side street, driveway, or alley into a continuous left turn lane and stop to wait for traffic to clear before merging into the lane to your right. Make sure the continuous left turn lane is clear in both directions before turning into it. While waiting to merge into traffic, you should be alert for vehicles driving head on in the same lane as they start to make their left turn. It is ILLEGAL to travel in a median with double yellow stripes or two-way / continuous left turn lane; do NOT use these lanes to speed up and merge with traffic or for passing cars to access a turn lane at an intersection. So, the answer to your question is no, it's not legal for people to use these types of lanes as a passing lane. The sole purpose of a continuous / two way left turn lane is for vehicles intending to make a left turn to exit the normal traffic lanes and to make a left turn from a protected left turn lane. It is not to be used to pass a line of cars stopped at an intersection so you can get to the left turn lane at the intersection. ORS §811.346 Misuse of a special left turn lane governs this. It is a class B violation and carries a base fine of $242.00 dollars. Is it legal to park in the street in front of someone's house? (12/10/2008) The short answer is "Yes," a vehicle can be parked in front of someone's house, as long as it is otherwise "legally parked," and "moved" within 72 hours. Most of the time the street in front of someone's house is considered a public "highway." This means it is owned by the city or state, and not owned by a homeowner or adjacent property. It is important to remember that as homeowners we can become territorial, but this does not give us any legal authority, or claim over the street in front of our homes. Police are often asked to talk to neighbors regarding vehicles that have been parked in front of their home for extended periods of time, and appear inoperable or abandoned. The City Ordinance prohibits vehicles from being "stored," or "abandoned," on public highways. Refer to City Code - Section §32.06.076 (1a-1b) and Section §32.06.077 (1a-2). In addition, the registered owner of an abandoned vehicle may be fined $242.00, and may be liable for the cost of impounding, and disposing of the vehicle. A vehicle that is used on a regular basis and usually parked in the same location is not in violation of storing, or being abandoned. In other words, if you drive to work every day and then park in the same location on the street when you come home, you have met the requirement of &$34;moving" your vehicle. But, if you simply move your vehicle forward a few feet, or to the other side of the street, you have not "moved" your vehicle and may be in violation of storing a vehicle on a public highway. City Code - Section §32.06.076 (3) defines "moving a vehicle" as: transporting the vehicle a distance of one city block or 200 feet, whichever is less. City Codes can be viewed at: http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/CITYATTY/Code%20&%20Charter.htm Statutes or City Code sections mentioned in this article:
What are the laws in regards to the use of skateboards and similar devices in Lake Oswego? (3/10/2006) The city of Lake Oswego has ordinance §32.10.601 that regulates the operation of skateboards, skates, and similar devices. This ordinance is broken down into several different subsections. There have been recent revisions to several areas of this ordinance.
It is a class C violation to violate any one of the sections, which has a base fine of $145.00. If the person violates any of these sections and is less than 18 years of age a copy of the citation shall be mailed to the parents or guardians of the cited person. If a police officer has probable cause to believe that a skateboard or similar device has been used in violation of any of these sections, the officer may seize the device after issuing a citation and hold it until the disposition of the charges. What can the police do about all the coyotes that have been seen in town? (12/10/2008) The recent coyote sightings in the middle of the afternoon on several different days, even on A Avenue during the rush-hour commute, are only unusual in the fact that they are occurring in broad daylight. Although it may seem unusual to see coyotes in our urban setting, it happens more frequently than most people realize, usually during the night hours. These wildlife incursions happen on a frequent basis throughout the entire Portland metropolitan area. Coyotes are generally not aggressive towards humans, and if you see one, clapping your hands loudly or making other noises will certainly scare them off. The Police Department is not authorized to capture or attempt to capture wild animals. The only authority allowed to conduct those activities is the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. You can view their web site at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/directory/index.asp. The only time the police can take action with a wild animal is as a last resort to neutralize a dangerous animal that reasonably appears to pose an imminent threat to the safety of themselves, or to other people. Officers may also euthanize an animal that is so badly injured that human compassion requires its removal from further suffering (where other options are not practical). How often do Lake Oswego officers practice their marksmanship with their weapons? How many weapons does an officer typically carry while on duty? (5/16/2005) The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) requires a Police Officer to qualify at least once a year with his/her sidearm. The Lake Oswego Police Department places a high priority on training and the Officers qualify three to four times a year. Other than just qualifying, they practice basic marksmanship, weapons handling skills, reloading drills, shooting on the move, shooting moving targets and advanced tactics just to name a few. Most of our training is perishable so we feel that it is very important to practice the skills that we don't use on a regular basis so that if they are needed the Officers are well prepared to protect themselves and the public. In addition to practicing with our duty weapons, we also practice with a tool called Simunitions. Simunitions are a marking cartridge similar to a paintball but shot out of a gun almost identical to the guns carried by officers. This allows the officers to be put into real life situations and use a variety of tools available to them. Each officer is required to carry a sidearm and a patrol rifle with them on duty. We also carry non-lethal tools with us on duty. As protection against dogs/people while jogging and walking the trails in Lake Oswego, could you provide guidelines regarding the possession of pepper spray? Is pepper spray legal to carry? Does it have to be visible? Are there canister size or concentration restrictions? What if I have to spray a loose dog that charges me? (5/29/2006) Possessing and carrying a canister of pepper spray is not restricted in Lake Oswego, or the State of Oregon. Keep in mind, there may be local laws and/or ordinances in other cities, counties or states that are more restrictive than we are. So to answer your questions regarding carrying the spray, it is legal to carry it and it is not a requirement that it be openly carried so that it is visible. There are no canister sizes or restrictions unless the product happens to be labeled, "For Military or Law Enforcement Use Only" (which some products are, I believe). Most of the products our patrol officers carry are not even labeled in this manner, and the only time I have seen such a label was on a very large canister designed for riot control. There are some laws governing the use of pepper spray that you must keep in mind if you are going to carry it responsibly. I will cite some references from the Oregon Revised Statutes which you can view at the following link: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/. ORS §163.211 provides some definitions, and references pepper spray: "oleoresin capsicum or a chemically similar sternutator or lacrimator by whatever name known". This includes products such as "capstun" or "punch"…these are all variations of oleoresin capsicum ("OC"). ORS §163.212 - Unlawful use of Pepper Mace, Second Degree (also includes other chemical restraints, electric stun guns or the Taser®, and Tear Gas). This provides the violation (a Class A Misdemeanor - a CRIME) for a person who "recklessly discharges" these devices against another person. Obviously, a defense to this crime would be provided in a situation where the person was acting in self defense, or in defense of another person - ie: a person in fear of an imminent threat of physical injury, serious physical injury or death. ORS §163.213 - Unlawful use of Pepper Mace, First Degree. This is the same as above, except it's used against a person who is known to be a peace officer, corrections officer, parole and probation officer, firefighter, or emergency medical technician or paramedic while they're acting in their official capacity. So if you were to use the OC against a threatening dog, the above statutes would not apply because they only apply to "a PERSON". You may be subject to provisions under the animal abuse laws if the dog is injured or "tortured". Refer to ORS §167.315 - Animal Abuse in the Second Degree (there is First Degree and Aggravated as well - these are all crimes). Generally, the law states that this crime is committed if "except as otherwise authorized by law (ie: self-defense), the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes physical injury to an animal." OC, if applied from any distance, should never cause a physical injury to a person or animal. OC is derived from substances found in nature, and are not a "chemical" per se. The bottom line is you MUST use caution and common sense when carrying OC Spray. Keep in mind that secondary exposure to OC is always a consideration, and a common problem when employing the spray. The wind, ventilation systems in enclosed buildings, a furnace in a home… These things can spread the agent and other people can get exposed and affected even if you did not intend to spray them with it. Also keep in mind that it does NOT work on all people or all animals, so it MAY NOT WORK in all cases. Be careful! Every year when the Chamber of Commerce hangs the flower baskets, there is a problem with one of them growing down and obscuring a pedestrian crossing light on Kruse Way. I was wondering if there is some kind of law against obscuring traffic lights. I would also like to know what the fine is and who I should call to report an obscured light. (8/28/2006) With all of the warm and sunny weather we have been experiencing this summer, it is no surprise that these big and beautiful flower baskets have been thriving. I have not been able to find anything in the Lake Oswego City Code that specifically addresses the issue of a traffic light being obstructed by vegetation. It certainly was not the intention of the City, or the Chamber of Commerce, to create a hazardous situation. Anytime that you observe this taking place, please note the exact location (Street name, and cross street with a detailed description of which part of the intersection is affected). Contact the Lake Oswego Maintenance Services at (503) 635-0280, and they will send a crew to remove the obstruction and correct the hazardous situation as quickly as possible. What is a Community Service Officer? (10/28/2008) I am a Community Service Officer (CSO) with the City of Lake Oswego and am often asked the question, "What is a Community Service Officer?" Though Police Officers and Community Service Officers work together, they are actually quite different. A Community Service Officer's primary objective is to keep Police Officers available for serious and dangerous crimes. Instead of sending a Police Officer to a concern about a dog running in traffic or an abandoned vehicle, a Community Service Officer will respond. This unity ensures that any call to Lake Oswego Police will be handled promptly and as effectively as our resources allow, resulting in the phrase "no call too small". Often a Community Service Officer is mistaken for a Police Officer because we all wear a full uniform and drive police vehicles. However, the Community Service Officer uniform is slightly different from a Lake Oswego Police Officer's Uniform. Our uniform consists of a dark, gray uniform shirt which may be covered by a bright, yellow coat. Our badge and an extra patch on our sleeve also identify us as a Community Service Officer. The rest of the uniform is nearly identical to a Police Officer's. Lake Oswego Community Service Officers have been sworn as Reserve Officers for the State of Oregon. This allows us to make arrests involving crimes against animals or crimes such as Offensive Littering. Though we do not attend the Police Officer Academy, we do receive Police Department training in defensive tactics and weapons use. If you have not seen a Community Service Officer respond to a Lake Oswego Ordinance Violation, you may have seen us directing traffic, participating at Community Events, installing a Child Safety Seat, giving presentations about Personal Safety or Crime Prevention, removing hazards from the road, enforcing timed parking, or assisting a disabled motorist. We also transport subjects to jail after a Police Officer has made an arrest. Community Service Officers do not generally respond to calls involving serious or violent crimes, but are often able to assist with crowd control and keeping the public at a safe distance. And though we do not initiate traffic stops, we may issue citations for traffic violations. This most often occurs when the violation resulted in a crash. At this time, Lake Oswego Police Department has five Community Service Officers. Three of us respond to a wide range of calls and requests, the fourth CSO primarily responds to parking issues downtown and the fifth CSO is almost exclusively an Evidence and Property Officer. If you would like to speak with a Community Service Officer, please contact Lake Oswego Police Department's non-emergency number at (503) 635-0238. What are attractive nuisances? Does the Lake Oswego Code address these problems? (2/26/2007) Lake Oswego Code section §34.10.500 deals with inherently dangerous objects left outside on a premises that have the potential of attracting children to the objects to play or examine the items. The Code prohibits an owner, lessee, occupant or any person having control, custody or management of premises to permit to remain unguarded or unsafe upon premises, any abandoned or discarded item, or any item which is non-functional for its intended purpose, or unused objects or equipment, such as automobiles, furniture, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, cans, containers or any other device having the characteristics of an attractive nuisance or which is liable to attract children. Items that to an adult are originally used for one purpose may have an entirely different use for a child who may not fully understand the objects danger. For example, a refrigerator left outside accessible to children may be viewed by a child as a neat play house or fort. The door may close or the refrigerator may tip over, for example, and the child is trapped. Of course, the fundamental idea in this section of the Code is safety; making premises safe for children who may not fully understand or appreciate the inherent danger of these objects. There are "any item" and "any other devices" phrases in this section of the Code so that other inherently dangerous things for children that are not specifically listed but are also dangerous are covered. LOC §34.10.500 also deals with what a property owner or occupant does to the property that makes the premises dangerous, e.g., leaving a large hole (a pit) for anyone entering upon the premises to fall into. Thus, it is prohibited for a property owner or occupant to have an unguarded or unsafe condition upon the premises, specifically a pit, quarry, cistern, well or other excavation upon the premises. An appropriate fence or other physical safeguard is required to protect these areas. What do I do if someone has broken in to my car? (7/20/2008) If there is a suspicious person in or around your vehicle, call 9-1-1. Do not confront the person. You do not know if they are there to hurt you or your family. Try to stay calm and give the 9-1-1 dispatcher the best description you can give, starting with the suspect's gender, race, height, weight, hair color. Describe their clothing from their head to their feet. Are they carrying anything with them? If they get into a vehicle, try to get a license plate number along with the vehicle's color, make, and model. If the person runs away, do not chase them. Give the 9-1-1 dispatcher a direction of travel. The first step in preventing someone from stealing things from your car is to secure your vehicle. Always lock your car and secure any valuables that are in plain sight. Take your purse and wallet inside the house. Put your electronics (GPS, iPod) in the glove box or take them inside. Never leave your car keys inside the vehicle. If you find your car door open and it appears rummaged through, do not touch anything and call the police. A police officer will try to find evidence to try and identify the person that has stolen things from your vehicle. Keep a list of serial numbers for your electronics that you can give a police officer if they are stolen. Remember, if you see someone suspicious or a vehicle that does not belong in the neighborhood, call Lake Oswego Police non-emergency (503) 635-0238. I often read in the police blotter that juveniles who get into trouble go to a facility in Clackamas County. Is that a jail? What is it like? (9/8/2005) It is a temporary holding facility that provides a place for local law enforcement agencies to take juveniles that they have taken into protective custody for one reason or another. It is a facility that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Clackamas County Reception / Assessment Center's primary focus is to accept the youth, assess their immediate needs, and arrange for their release to a parent, guardian, responsible adult, or other community agency. It is not a jail! It is primarily an initial assessment center where trained counselors assess a youth's needs. This includes finding out if the youth has a prior juvenile record, has mental health issues, is a victim of child abuse, or has drug and / or alcohol problems. When the youth is released from this facility, family members will know whether the matter is being referred to the juvenile department for prosecution, being assigned to a diversion counselor, or being diverted to a community agency. The Reception Center also provides referrals to community resources based on what best fits the needs of the youth/family. This could include counseling, mediation, or drug/alcohol assessment. Given that they are open 24 hours a day counselors are also able to answer telephone calls from both parents and youth and provide consultation / referrals to a variety of different agencies throughout the community. The Reception Center is also a very valuable tool for law enforcement. At any time, Police can find out whether a particular youth is active, at any level, within the juvenile justice system. They can provide information about the youth's counselor, conditions of release or probation as well as other information. The Clackamas County Reception / Assessment Center is just a small piece of the Clackamas County Juvenile Department and the above information is just a quick overview of services they provide. For more information about their services call them at (503) 655-8342. I saw a boy purchase cigarettes recently and he did not look 18. The cashier did not ask for identification. Are there penalties for people who do not check ID for cigarettes and then sell them to someone under the legal age? (10/17/2006) This is an excellent question, especially since almost everyone knows that when a store clerk sells alcoholic beverages to a minor under 21 years of age, they are committing a criminal violation and the consequences can be quite serious (and very expensive) to both the clerk and the store that holds the OLCC license to serve the alcohol. When I checked the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS - Ver. 2006), I was somewhat surprised to learn that this is not the case with tobacco sales to minors under 18 years of age. ORS §167.400 prohibits minors under 18 from possessing tobacco products (and specifies that it is a class D violation), and ORS §167.401 prohibits the minor under 18 from purchasing or attempting to purchase tobacco products. There are state statutes that make it a class B violation to place tobacco vending machines (these are only allowed in cocktail lounges and industrial plants) or display cases where minors under 18 have direct access to the tobacco products (see ORS §167.402, §167.404 & §167.407). I did not locate a state statute that specifies a violation for not "carding" a minor purchasing tobacco products. However, there is a Lake Oswego City Code (LOC) that makes it a civil violation for a person who owns, operates, manages or is in charge of (like a clerk that's on duty) a business to distribute, sell or cause to be sold, tobacco in any form to a person less than 18 years of age (see LOC §34.20.050). The penalty for a person who is convicted of this LOC shall incur a fine of not less than $100, and not more than $600. Again, this is a civil violation under LOC, not a criminal violation under ORS. For a full text of Chapter 34 of the LOC, please visit the following web link: http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/tools/CityCode/GetCode.aspx?34. Additional resources for information on Oregon Revised Statutes can be found at the following web link: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/. Additional information on the Lake Oswego City Code can be found at the following web link: http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/tools/CityCode/. What are the dangers of leaving your dog in a hot car? (7/15/2008) As the weather gets warmer, the sun comes out, people come out to play in the sun, and what is more natural than to bring man's best friend along to share in the fun? However, even short forays ("I'll just be gone a few minutes….") to the local grocer can take its toll on our canine friends. Even with the windows open a car parked in the sun can reach sweltering temperatures. Dogs left in hot cars can die within minutes, suffer from severe dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke (see your veterinarian for specific signs to look for). Unless you intend to take your dog with you once you leave your vehicle the best plan of action is to leave your pet at home during the hot weather. It is also advisable to plan ahead where you are headed with Fido. During the summer, temperatures will be at the highest during midday. If afternoon strolls are your usual walk regime it would be advisable to reconsider this time of day and switch to the cooler evening or early morning hours. Your dog can become hot, dehydrated, and the hot concrete can burn your dog's sensitive paws. When you do walk during hot weather, take along water for your dog and stop frequently to let your dog drink. Your dog will thank you for this. If you are going to take your pet with you in the car some of the problems can be slowed by parking in the shade, leashing or kenneling the dog, and family members staying with the car and the dog, keeping doors and windows open. If you are alone a little more creativity is needed. A few ideas to consider would be:
Possible ramifications of leaving your dog in a hot car can include: Your dog dies, had a heat related illness (such as dehydration, heat exhaustion or stroke), or charges of Animal Neglect. Plan ahead, prepare for the weather and give you dogs a break! Do Lake Oswego Police respond to crimes at PCC? What types of crimes occur there? (1/25/2006) Lake Oswego Police Department does not directly respond to crimes that occur at Portland Community College. If you were to dial 911 from the campus, Portland Police Bureau would respond as it is within their jurisdiction. That's not to say you would never see a Lake Oswego Police Officer there. If a crime occurs at Portland Community College and Portland Police request our assistance we would, of course, respond to the college and assist them. You may also see us on a traffic stop there. This happens when an officer sees a traffic violation occur in Lake Oswego, but they are not able to safely stop the violating vehicle until it enters the parking lot at Portland Community College. The types of crimes that occur at Portland Community College are the same types of crimes that occur at any location where there are a large number of people and their vehicles. One of the most prominent crimes that occur at Portland Community College is theft from vehicles, which is also one of the most frequently occurring crimes in the City of Lake Oswego. The best way not to be a victim of theft from vehicle is to not leave items in the view of passersby within you vehicle. You may leave a backpack full of books on your backseat and think nothing of it. All a criminal sees is a big bag full of stuff. They'll smash your window take the bag and sort it out later. In the mean time, you're missing your books and you need to replace a window. If you have to leave things in your vehicle, put them in the trunk and make it a practice to never leave any of your personal information in your vehicle. This would include your wallet, purse, checkbook, etc. Many times the crime of theft from a vehicle leads to identity theft and fraudulent use of credit cards. What is the penalty if a person's dog gets loose by accident? (12/31/2008) The penalty for a person's dog being loose will depend on the circumstances. As officers, we are allowed to use discretion and will take the totality of the situation into consideration. The Lake Oswego City Code that refers to dogs being loose is LOC §31.02.120, Prohibited and Regulated Conduct, and states that is a violation for the keeper of the dog to permit it to become at large. If the dog accidentally gets loose, than we would attempt to return the dog to its rightful owner and a verbal warning may be given, if it is the first offense. If it is not possible to identify where the dog resides, than the dog would be transported to Clackamas County Dog Services and lodged. When the dog is claimed, we would receive the owner information and contact them about the situation that caused the dog to become loose. If a citation is warranted, then the imposed fine would be $100. As a dog owner in Lake Oswego, you are required to license them with the city, in accordance to LOC §31.02.115, Licensing of Dogs. If the dog is wearing current tags, then we can obtain owner information from dog licensing and return the dog home. The penalty for failure to license the dog with the City of Lake Oswego is also $100. What tools can a woman use if she's in a bad relationship and wants to get out but the man is abusive? Can the police help? (6/28/2005) Domestic violence may occur in any household between family or household members. This includes spouses, former spouses, adult persons related by blood or marriage, persons living together and unmarried parents of a minor child. If police are called to this type of incident and there is physical injury, meaning impairment of physical condition or substantial pain to another the abuser will be arrested. The report is submitted to the District Attorney's office for consideration of charges. Support to the victims is offered through the Clackamas County District Attorney's office is Victim's Assistance, (503) 655-8616. The police can assist in these difficult situations. Many times the parties agree to separation for a period of time, some are willing to utilize counseling and others are assisted in leaving the home and being placed in a shelter. If one party is arrested for assault and taken to jail we recommend the victim obtain a restraining order. Victim's assistance may help with this. At anytime a person who is in an abusive relationship, be it male or female may file a petition with the court for a restraining order against the offending party. Once served to the offender they may be restrained from abusing you, ordered to leave the household, prevent the offender from contacting you or your children in any way. This court order is enforceable in every state. You must apply for the order in the county that you live. It takes time to process and the offender may not be served immediately. If the offender violates the restraining order and the police respond and the offending party is still at the scene they will be arrested. Local assistance in the Portland Metro area includes 24 hour hotlines: Clackamas Women's Services/Shelter (503) 654-2288 where you will receive assistance in leaving the home and taken to a safe place, and Portland Women's Crisis Hotline (503) 235-5333. Is it possible to get cited for drunk driving if you have taken a prescription medication? (8/19/2008) This is a great question and the answer may surprise some people. Section §1(b) of Oregon Revised Statute §813.010 says a person commits the offense of driving while under the influence of intoxicants if the person drives a vehicle while the person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, a controlled substance or an inhalant. Controlled substances include a wide range of substances from illicit drugs (ex. marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine) to many prescription medications. Many prescriptions today come with warnings against the operation of machinery, including motor vehicles, for a specified period of time after use. It is very important to heed these warnings, especially when starting a new medication or changing a dose. Until you know how a medication is going to affect you, plan on having a designated driver. It is also important to remember alcohol can greatly increase the effects of medications and quickly impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely. The Lake Oswego police treat all impaired driving the same. We currently have three drug recognition experts (DRE) on the department who are specially trained in this area. Please take the time to discuss the potential side effects of all your medications with your doctor or pharmacist to avoid the risk of being arrested for driving under the influence. When police respond to a domestic violence call, is there a federal law that says they have to make an arrest? (8/25/2005) There is no federal law covering domestic violence. There is however specific language in the Oregon Criminal Code that deals with how Oregon Police Officers handle "Domestic Violence" calls. Oregon criminal statutes mandate that an Oregon Police Officer who responds to an incident of domestic disturbance and has probable cause to believe that an assault has occurred between family members, or to believe that one such person has placed the other in fear of imminent serious physical injury, the officer shall (must) arrest and take into custody the alleged assailant or potential assailant. Oregon criminal statutes define "Family" or "Household members" as spouses, former spouses, adult persons related by blood of marriage, persons cohabiting with each other, persons who have cohabitated with each other or who have been involved in a sexually intimate relationship, and unmarried parents of a minor child. Who has to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle in the street? (3/4/2007) Children under the age of sixteen years who operate bicycles or are passengers on a bicycle ridden on the street or on any premises that is open to the public are required to wear protective headgear. Oregon Revised Statutes §814.485 makes this requirement and sets the fine for a violation at $25.00. If the person who is not wearing a helmet in violation of this law is twelve (12) years old, but not yet sixteen (16) years old, then either the child or the parent, legal guardian or responsible adult can be issued a citation. If the non-complying minor is eleven (11) years of age or younger, then only the parent, legal guardian or responsible adult can be issued a citation. Regarding carrying passengers on a bicycle that is ridden on streets or on any premises open to the public, ORS §814.486 makes the operator of the bicycle responsible for the under sixteen (16) years of age passenger who is not wearing a helmet. This also applies to the parent, legal guardian, or adult who is responsible for the child and who is operating a bicycle with any minor child under sixteen years of age who does not wear a helmet. In either case, whether a parent or any other person sixteen years of age or older, the violation is endangering the passenger, and punishable by a fine of $25.00. These rules are obviously for the protection and safety of young people riding bicycles either as operators or passengers. All bicycle helmets should conform to the national safety standards and specifications to be in compliance with the above statutes. During my patrols around the City it is heartening to observe that almost all young people and parents are being compliant and are following these safety rules. What are the rules for parking in a disabled parking space? Can I park in the space for just a moment to go into a store to grab something? And what is the stripped space next to the disabled parking space that I sometimes see? (3/7/2007) The rules for using a disabled parking space can be found in Oregon Revised Statutes §811.615 through §811.630. A disabled parking space is reserved for people who have been issued valid Disabled Parking Permit by a state Motor Vehicles Department. Oregon recognizes valid permits from all other states and, reciprocally, all other states accept valid Oregon permits. An application for a permit can be obtained from the Oregon DMV. A physician must complete part of the application and then it is returned to DMV who can then issue a permit. There are three types of disabled parking permits: an individual permit issued to one disabled person; a family permit issued to a family when the family has two or more verified disabled persons, and a program permit issued to institutions that regularly transport disabled persons. Use of a disabled parking permit by any person not entitled to use the permit is a violation and could be a crime. Disabled parking spaces can be recognized by a ground painted symbol (which appears like a stick person in a wheel chair) which can be any color but usually is a white symbol in a blue square, and/or by a sign indicating that the space is for permit holders. Thus, the designated disabled parking space can be identified by a sign alone, by a ground painted symbol alone, or by both the sign and the ground painting. Additionally, any stripped painted space adjacent to a signed or ground painted disabled parking space is considered a part of the disabled parking space. ORS §811.615 prohibits anyone not conspicuously displaying a valid disabled parking permit from using a disabled parking space. Momentarily stopping in a disabled parking space to pick up or drop off a disabled person is permitted if the person picked up or dropped off has a valid disabled parking permit. However, this is the exception. Parking in a disabled parking space to pick up, drop off or wait for a person who has not been issued a permit is a violation. Also, no one, not even a valid permit holder, is allowed to park in the access aisle, the striped space next to a signed or ground painted disabled parking space. That space is reserved for disabled persons, for example, to set up a wheel chair or let down a ramp from a van. The base fine for the first time violation of this section of ORS is $360.00. The fine for all subsequent violations of this section is $450.00 and, after the first conviction, that base fine cannot be reduced by the court. Parking a vehicle is such a manner so as to block a disabled parking space so that a person with a permit cannot get into the space, or it would be difficult for them to do so, is a violation of ORS §811.617. A violation of this section carries a base fine of $90.00. It is lawful to for a non-disabled person to transport a disabled person with a valid permit and to use the designated disabled parking space, but the disabled person's permit must be conspicuously displayed. It is unlawful, per ORS §811.625, for a person to use a permit issued to another person and to park in a space reserved for a permitted disabled person when that disabled person is not being transported to or from the location. Note: a person violates this section, and ORS §811.615, if a person transports a disabled person to a location and then parks and displays the disabled person's permit at a disabled parking space at a different location. For example, a person transports a disabled person with a permit to a medical office. The disabled person goes into the medical office. Then, the driver of the car goes to a nearby store, parks in the disabled parking space, displays the permit, and goes in the store to buy something. The driver has now violated both ORS §811.615 (he/she is parked in a disabled parking space without a permit issued to him/her), and ORS §811.625 (as he/she is unlawfully using the permit of his passenger, who was not at the location, but rather still at the medical office). Use of an invalid disabled parking permit is, under ORS §811.627, is then the permit is used by a person and the permit:
The fine for violation of this section of ORS is $450.00 and cannot be reduced by the court, except in the instance of a mutilated or illegible permit where the court may set the fine up to the maximum. Note: altering a permit and/or being in possession of an altered permit are crimes under:
Thus, if a person, even the person to whom the permit is issued, changes the permit in any way, changes the date, for example, and then displays or uses the changed permit, he has committed both crimes. The security deposit for each of these crimes is $7,500.00. Finally, a person who works for an institution that transports disabled people and has a program permit issued to the institution for that purpose, violates ORS §811.630 if he uses the program permit for his own use. Do I have to have a front license plate on my car? (1/10/2007) Oregon law requires that all passenger vehicles (i.e. Cars, SUV's, etc.) must display a front and rear plate. The plates must be in plain view and so as to be read easily by the public. The validation / expiration stickers also need to be clearly visible as well. Some vehicles come from the factory without a place to properly mount the license plates. It is the responsibility of the driver who is operating the vehicle to be certain that the vehicle is operational with the proper equipment. If your vehicle does not have a license plate holder or a place to mount the license plate, then see your local car dealership for instructions with how to obtain one. If you need help with installing your license plates, then you could call your local mechanic or auto dealer. Traffic Laws can be looked up at your local Library, or accessed online with the Department of Motor Vehicles at http://www.dmv.org/or-oregon/automotive-law/vehicle-code.php. People that fail to display a front license plate may be issued a citation where a $97.00 fine may be imposed. What are the laws regarding Airsoft guns and are Airsoft guns legal to use in Lake Oswego? (12/26/2006) Airsoft guns are not classified as firearms and are legal under federal law, as well as the laws in each state. However, in almost every major city and population center the definition of a firearm within their respected ordinances includes propulsion by spring or compressed air, thus subject to applicable laws. Airsoft guns are spring, electric or gas powered air guns that fire small spherical plastic pellets of either 6mm or 8 mm diameter. Inexpensive Airsoft guns are often used as toys while more expensive models are often used for firearms training or the sport of Airsoft which is similar in concept as Paintball. In Lake Oswego, City of Lake Oswego Ordinance §34.02.045 states that no person, other than an authorized peace officer acting within the scope of his/her duties, shall fire any gun or other weapon, including air actuated pellet guns, "BB" guns or a weapon which is capable of propelling a projectile by use of a bow or sling, explosives or jet, or rocket propulsion. In other words, it is illegal to discharge any of these weapons within the City of Lake Oswego city limits. This would include an Airsoft gun. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the firing or discharging of any weapon by any person in the defense or protection of property which that person owns or controls, his person or family, or at any place duly licensed or designated for target practice. The provisions of this ordinance shall not be construed to prohibit the display of fireworks, duly authorized by the City of Lake Oswego. When is protective headgear required when riding a bicycle? (2/7/2007) Oregon Revised Statutes specify who is required to wear protective headgear while operating or riding a bicycle. ORS §814.485 says a person commits the offense of failure of a bicycle operator or rider to wear protective headgear if the person is under 16 years of age, operates or rides on a bicycle on a highway or on premises open to the public and is not wearing protective headgear. Failure of a bicycle operator or rider to wear protective headgear is a traffic violation punishable by a maximum fine of $25. There is also an Oregon Revised Statues for endangering a bicycle operator or passenger. ORS §814.486 says a person commits the offense of endangering a bicycle operator or passenger if the person is operating a bicycle on a highway or on premises open to the public and the person carries another person on the bicycle who is under 16 years of age and is not wearing protective headgear. ORS §814.486 goes on to say a person commits the offense of endangering a bicycle operator or passenger if the person is the parent or legal guardian or person with legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of a child under 16 years of age and the child operates or rides on a bicycle on a highway or on premises open to the public without wearing protective headgear. Endangering a bicycle operator or passenger is a traffic violation punishable by a maximum fine of $25. According to ORS §814.487, a person is exempt from the requirements under ORS §814.485 and §814.486 to wear protective headgear, if wearing the headgear would violate a religious belief or practice of the person. Even though state laws only require persons under 16 years of age to wear protective headgear, studies show that 45% to 88% of bicycle crash head injuries can be prevented by wearing protective headgear. With such high prevention rates, safety experts recommend all bicycle operators and riders wear protective headgear, regardless of age. We understand that this could be a financial burden for some families. The Lake Oswego Police Department still has a small amount of children's bicycle helmets that we are willing to give to a child who needs one. If this is the case please contact us. I want to make a complaint about something my neighbor is doing, but I don't want them to know I called. Can I be anonymous? (11/16/2007) Whenever the dispatch center receives a call, the dispatcher will ask for the name, address and phone number of the person making the report. There are several reasons for this. First, it is helpful for the officer who is dispatched on the call to have the option to contact the caller. It can also be helpful for the officer to know the address where the complaint is coming from so they can start from there to locate where the problem is happening. Perhaps most importantly it gives an officer cause to contact the person responsible for the problem even if the officer doesn't witness the violation. For instance, if the problem is the neighbors' loud stereo or barking dog and the noise has stopped when the officer arrives they have no legal cause to take any enforcement action against the person causing the problem, including issuing a warning, unless they have a witness who can testify that the violation occurred. In some cases, such as calls reporting possible drunk drivers, the testimony of a witness to the driving can be crucial to the case. Calls made to the police are public record. The log of calls received is available to be reviewed, and calls to the police are recorded and subject to subpoena. There is a procedure in place for citizens to request and receive access to the public record. However, the police generally do not volunteer information about a person making a complaint. If you, as a caller, choose not to give your name or information the police department will still respond to check a situation, but may not be able to take action or notify you of what happened. Very often people are concerned that if they make a complaint and give their name they will see it published in the "Police Blotter". If you read through the police blotter you normally won't see an entry that says something to the effect of "John Doe complained about a loud party at…" - the only names you will see in the blotter are those of people who were arrested or charged regarding an incident. Choosing to be anonymous will not keep the police department from responding on a call, but it may limit the options an officer has available to remedy the situation. Where does the money go when I pay the fine on a ticket? (5/11/2006) There are five different locations where your money goes to when you pay your fine. For example, if you receive a ticket for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. This ticket is a B violation which will cost you $242.00. $180.00 of the fine will go to the general City of Lake Oswego fund. $37.00 of the fine will go to the State of Oregon general fund. $18.00 of the fine will go to the County general fund. $2.00 of the fine will go to LEMLA. LEMLA is jail medical fund. $5.00 of the fine will go to SCFA. SCFA is fund which helps with maintenance for courthouses. I think you're much better off finding your own five places to spend your hard earned money. Please drive safely. Is it legal to ride your bike on the highway? (9/17/2008) The state refers to a highway as every public way, road, street, thoroughfare and place, including bridges, viaducts, and other structures which are intended for use of the general public for vehicles or vehicular traffic. For instance, we refer to a typical residential street as a highway and we also refer to State Street in Lake Oswego (Highway 43) as a highway. I'll assume you are making reference to a highway such as highway 43 and/or Interstate 5, so I will try to direct my answer towards what people commonly refer to as a highway. To directly answer your question, yes, it is legal to ride your bike on a highway unless otherwise posted. However, every person riding a bicycle upon a public way is subject to the provisions applicable to and has the same rights and duties as the driver of any other vehicle. For instance, bicyclists must signal by hand for at least 100 feet before executing a stop, executing a turn, and a bicyclist must use a bicycle lane or bicycle path when the lane or path is adjacent to or near the roadway. A bicycle also must be equipped with lighting equipment in order to operate the bicycle at night. The lighting equipment must include a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front of the bicycle and there must be a red reflector or lighting device which is visible from the rear for distances up to 600 feet. A bicycle also must be equipped with a brake that enables the operator of the bicycle to stop within 15 feet from the speed of 10 miles per hour on dry, level, and clean pavement (Required in all lighting conditions). Perhaps the most applicable statute in regards to operating your vehicle on the highway is Improper Use of Lanes (ORS §814.430). A person operating a bicycle on a highway is required to ride as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway if they are traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic. This allows vehicles to safely pass when needed without making risky decisions to pass the bicyclist due to frustration. A bicyclist should never ride against traffic, which is one of the leading causes of crashes between bicyclists and cars (approximately 20 percent). Bicyclists must take extreme precaution when operating their bicycle on most highways. It is up the bicyclist to take extra safety precautions because they aren't as visible as a motor vehicle nor are they protected by the structure and safety features of most motor vehicles. As gas prices increases, bicycle traffic increases and drivers become more familiar with sharing the roadway with bicyclists. However, most drivers don't understand the laws and common procedures surrounding sharing the roadway with bicyclists. It may be legal to ride your bicycle on all highways; however, it may not be safe or appropriate to do so. As a bicyclist, you should follow four simple rules which are as follows:
Refer to State of Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Program (http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/docs/bike_manual_06.pdf) for an Oregon Bicycle Manual. Also refer to this website for statewide and local bicycle maps. What is the penalty for kids under 18 who are caught with cigarettes? (3/6/2006) From the day you're born you'll have to wait approximately 6570 days (give or take a few days for leap years) to buy a pack of cigarettes or other tobacco products legally in Oregon. Oregon State Statutes (ORS) inform Oregonians that penalties involving under-age smoking are not criminal, however it is a violation and there can be creative ways to educate and inform minors about the harmful effects of smoking. If you want to read the technical jargon, I've listed the ORS's pertaining to offenses involving tobacco below. In short, ORS states that people under the age of 18 aren't allowed to purchase or acquire tobacco or tobacco products, unless you're in the privacy of a residence and have your parents' or guardians' approval and they are present. If the latter doesn't apply and you're caught with tobacco or tobacco products you commit a Class D violation. Depending on how many times you're caught with tobacco and/or tobacco products by law enforcement before turning 18 years of age, there are a few different penalties which courts can impose. The penalties can include ordering minors to take part in tobacco education/cessation programs or by having the minor complete a certain amount of hours of community service activities related to diseases associated with the consumption of tobacco products. The courts are allowed to order these options once for the first offense. The second offense includes the previous order but also adds a court can also suspend or deny a person's driving privileges for up to one year. OFFENSES INVOLVING TOBACCO§167.400 Tobacco possession by minors prohibited.
§167.401 Tobacco purchase by minors prohibited; exceptions.
What regulations does Lake Oswego have regarding the parking and storage of recreational vehicles? Does the city differentiate between motorized and non-motorized vehicles? How does a citizen go about discovering these rules and regulations? (10/25/2006) Here is a discussion of the rules for parking and storing of recreational vehicles in Lake Oswego: Two Lake Oswego Codes deal with the parking and storing of recreational vehicles, whether motorized or non-motorized, on public highways and private property. Lake Oswego Code §32.06.076, Storing Vehicles on Highways, prohibits vehicles with campers, motor homes, recreational vehicles, or trailers, house trailer, or motor bus, whether attended or unattended, on any public highway, street or other right-of-way within the city limits, for a period greater than thirty minutes, between the hours on one minute past twelve a.m. and six a.m., except for one day out of seven it can be parked on the public right-of-way if it is parked within 100 feet of the owners residence. Also, a recreational vehicle, house trailer or motor home may be parked on a public street longer than the restrictions above if:
Any parking must be done in a manner that does not interfere with traffic, create a hazard or obstruct be view of drivers. Vehicles parked on private property are dealt with in LOC §34.10.525 which prohibits maintaining an inoperable vehicle outside of a building on private property. A vehicle that is inoperable because it does not display a current state vehicle license and/or tags, or which cannot be moved without being repaired or dismantled, or which is no longer safely usable for the purpose for which it was manufactured cannot be maintained or stored on private property for more than a month (except for repair or wrecking businesses). These and all City Codes can be accessed of the City's web site at http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/CITYATTY/Code%20&%20Charter.htm What regulations does Lake Oswego have regarding the parking and storage of recreational vehicles? Does the city differentiate between motorized and non-motorized vehicles? How does a citizen go about discovering these rules and regulations? (9/1/2006) Recreational vehicles parked in the City of Lake Oswego are regulated by both City Ordinances and State Laws. The type of vehicle, its use, and the area in which it is parked are things considered when determining which laws apply. When parking anything on a public street, a person should always abide by State parking laws, under chapter §811.555 in Oregon's Revised Statutes (ORS's), Vehicle Laws. City Ordinance in Lake Oswego has two City Ordinances that address the parking of recreational vehicles. Neither of these ordinances segregates "motorized" from "non-motorized" and focus, rather, on the vehicle's use. For instance; a boat trailer and a house trailer have different exceptions applied, though neither is motorized. Lake Oswego City Code Section §32.06.076, "Storing Vehicles on Highways" prohibits, in sum, any truck, trailer, bus, camper, motor home, recreational vehicle, boat, or trailer from being left on a city street more than 30 minutes between the hours of 12am and 6am. In other words, it can't be left on the street overnight. There are two exceptions applied in this Ordinance. First exception: If one of these types of vehicles is parked within 100 feet of the owner's residence, the limit can be extended to one full day in a 7-day consecutive period. For example: If you park a trailer on the street within 100 feet of your residence, you can leave it unmoved starting at 6a on Monday and leave it unmoved through Tuesday until midnight. But then you must wait until the following Monday night to leave it for more than 30 minutes overnight again. Remember, this exception only applies when it is parked with in 100 feet of your residence. Second exception: This exception pertains only to the parking of recreational vehicles, house trailers or motor homes on public streets. This exception permits these vehicles to be parked 10 days in a calendar year if the vehicle is owned by the resident (or guest) of the property it is parked in front of or adjacent to. This exception does not apply if this type of vehicle is parked, for example, in front of the neighbor's house or across the street. Permissions may be granted by the City Manager for exceptional circumstances. There are no exceptions if the parked vehicle or trailer is obstructing traffic in any way. Again, all regular state parking laws under ORS §811.555 apply. You may also have questions about recreational vehicles parked on private property. Lake Oswego Code §50.14.015 addresses the use of recreational vehicles and such on private property and states, "A recreational vehicle shall not be used as a dwelling unit. This section prohibits any use of such facilities for dwelling purposes for more than 72 hours in any seven day period." Lake Oswego Code defines "Dwelling Unit" as "One or more habitable rooms which are occupied or which are intended or designed to be occupied by one family with housekeeping facilities for living, sleeping, sanitary facilities, cooking and eating". Both ordinances apply to recreational vehicles, but please acknowledge that the first addresses parking on public streets and right-of-ways and the second addresses private property. The stipulations in each ordinance are not to be interchanged. If you have further questions regarding this subject, you can type "Lake Oswego City Code" into your internet web browser or visit the City's website at http://www.ci.oswego.or.us. You are also welcome to call Lake Oswego City Hall at (503) 635-0280 between the hours of 8am and 5pm on weekdays. If you would like to report or have questions about a possible violation, please contact Lake Oswego Police Department at (503) 635-0238 and an Officer will contact you to answer your questions. How many sex offenders are registered in Lake Oswego and how do police keep track of them? (6/13/2006) There are currently 30 registered sex offenders living in Lake Oswego. Twelve of these offenders are supervised by the Oregon State Parole and Probation department. Eighteen of the offenders are unsupervised. People who are convicted of the following crimes must be registered with the State of Oregon:
Offenders must register annually within ten days of their birthday and must re-register within ten days of any change of address. Offenders can register at any police department in the state of Oregon. Transients can register whether they are camping or living in their vehicle, as long as they provide the police agency with a landmark; for example, "camping under the Sellwood Bridge." There is no active tracking for verification of the offenders' addresses. The offenders are on somewhat of an honor system in supplying their address information at registration. The offenders can be arrested for supplying false information and/or not registering in a timely manner. The Oregon State Police has a website to answer the most often asked questions regarding sex offenders. This website is http://egov.oregon.gov/OSP/SOR/faqs.shtml My friend received a citation for disobeying a traffic control device. She told me it was for going through a yellow light, is this possible? (1/2/2007) Yes, it is possible to receive a citation for going through a yellow light. Under ORS §811.260: Response to traffic control devices, a steady circular yellow signal indicates that a driver facing a steady circular yellow signal light is warned that their right of way is being terminated. A red or flashing red light will be shown immediately and the driver facing the light is required to stop either at the clearly marked stop line, before entering a marked cross walk, or before entering the intersection. Only if the person is unable to stop safely are they allowed to CAUTIOUSLY drive through the intersection. This does not mean one should accelerate to get through the light before it turns red. Under ORS §811.265 Failure to obey a traffic control device, it is stated that a person commits the offense of failure to obey a traffic control device if the person fails to obey the direction of any traffic control device and/or fails to obey any traffic control device described under ORS §811.260 in a manner required by that section. This includes but is not limited to any traffic sign or traffic light. Exceptions to this ordinance would be if the driver is following the directions of a police officer or is legally driving an emergency vehicle or ambulance. "What rules are bicyclists supposed to follow? For example, when they zip down the street keeping up with most cars on the road or in the bike lane, why don't they have to stop at Stop Signs? or follow any rules cars to - but they take to the road like a car? Can you explain?" (6/19/2006) Every person riding a bicycle upon a public way is subject to the provisions applicable and has the same rights and duties as the driver of any other vehicle operating on highways ("Highways" mean any road way, street, thoroughfare or place). There are several statues that apply to bicyclists such as: Failure to use bicycle lane or path, Improper use of lanes, Unsafe operation of bicycle on sidewalk, and Failure to signal a turn or stop. Failure to signal a turn or stop is the directed question you were inquiring about. In this statue it states a bicyclist is in violation when they stop a bicycle without giving the appropriate hand signal continuously for 100 feet before coming to a stop. They are also in violation if they execute a turn without the proper hand signal. The only exception to this statue is if the operator of the bicycle needs both hands to safely control or operate the bicycle then a hand signal is not required. As for the way bicyclists use the road, they are required to use a bicycle path or bicycle lane when one is adjacent to or near the roadway. They are also required to ride as close to the right curb or roadway as practical. A bicyclist would be in violation of Improper use of a lane if they were traveling at a slower speed than the normal speed of traffic AND they failed to be as close to the curb as possible. It's important to remember that at all times drivers of either a vehicle or bicycle are required to exercise due care in regards to pedestrians and safe maneuvering. When a policeman pulls my car over at night, how can I be sure it's really a policeman and not an imposter with a flashing light? (12/2/2008) Most of the time when a driver sees flashing lights in their review mirror it is from a legitimate emergency vehicle. From time to time we hear about the police officer impersonator who unlawfully stops citizens. The vehicle driven by these imposters usually has some type of light attached to get your attention. The imposter usually has a red light attached to their vehicle in some manner. Most police cars in Oregon are equipped with both red and blue lights. It is illegal for a non-police citizen to use a blue light on their vehicle, so if you see a blue light it is likely a law enforcement officer. When a police officer intends to stop a driver the stop location is typically planned out prior to turning on the emergency lights. When available it is preferred to stop a driver in a well lit safe area. This is for the safety of the officer and the driver. The officer will likely be in a uniform and displaying a police badge. From time to time a detective in an unmarked car and in plain clothes will stop a car. This usually doesn't happen to the average law abiding citizen. If something just doesn't feel right when you are being stopped you should call 911 immediately to verify the person is an officer, drive to the nearest well lit public area and stop. It will only take a very short time for the dispatcher to verify the officer is who they say they are. Please do not drive in an evasive manner, this will appear as if you are trying to get away and the officer may consider it a pursuit. Impersonating a police officer is a Class A Misdemeanor and having any blue light on the front of your vehicle is a Class C Violation. Along South Shore there is what appears to be a walking path. Is that path also open to bicyclists? (8/7/2006) The path you are referring to is on the north side of South Shore and extends from McVey to Lakeview, approximately two miles long. When the path was put in it was meant to be used as a "Ped-Way", but because it is not officially wide enough it cannot have that official title. The path can be used by both pedestrians and bicyclists and because this is not an official bike path, bicyclists are not required to use it. Bicyclists must still yield to pedestrians on the path. Regardless if you ride on the path or on the roadway be sure you are familiar with the laws concerning bicycle operation. It is very important that we are all safe whether we are walking, riding or driving. Why can't people jump off the canal bridge into Oswego Lake or the dolphins at Roehr Park into the Willamette River? (7/22/2008) There are several reasons why a person should not jump off the Dolphins or bridges into the water in Lake Oswego. The most obvious reason for not jumping off the structures is the existence of a city ordinance forbidding the act of jumping off any structure belonging to the city. You can find it in the city codes under Section §34.06.156. The title of the section is Jumping or Diving from City Structures. This section states, it shall be unlawful and a civil violation for any person to jump or dive from any bridge, dolphin, pier, dock or other City Structure. One might ask why the city has incorporated such an ordinance. In my opinion, it is for your safety. The structures were not intended for someone to jump off. There are many hazards under the water that one cannot see. To jump off these structures, you put yourself at risk, not to mention if you are injured from jumping it requires emergency personnel to respond. Water rescues are not only difficult, but it puts emergency personnel at risk of being injured and takes them from other duties. How many times have you heard on the news that someone was drowning or having trouble in the water when a Good Samaritan jumped into help, and that person ends up drowning? Is the brief moment of fun and the rush of excitement worth the risk of injury to yourself or others? The answer is, No. Be responsible, do the right thing, and follow the rules. The rules are there to keep you safe. I recently read that police fired bean bags at a suspect. What is the difference between bean bags and Tasers® and in what situation would you use each one? (9/28/2006) In brief bean bags are Impact Munitions that are fired from a 12 gauge shotgun or a 37/40 mm delivery system. There are a variety of munitions that can be utilized in these systems. This system creates psychological and physiological effects on the individual it is being used on. Specialty impact munitions are used with the intent to cause pain, and at times blunt trauma to disorient or incapacitate an individual. As, such some degree of injury is expected. This is necessary to achieve compliance or a momentary degree of incapacitation to gain control of a given situation. Tasers® are an electrical stun device that can incapacitate a subject by delivering 50,000 volts of electricity to the subject. Again the taser is used to gain compliance and control of a given situation. Both of the above mentioned law enforcement tools provide force options for officers. Both impact munitions and tasers are considered less than lethal. However the impact munitions (Bean Bag) does have the potential to cause death or serious physical injury. Regarding what situation would each of these tools be used? There are many factors that influence the officer's decision when deciding which tool they will deploy. First and foremost the distance between an officer and a threat gives the officer time to react. If the subject has a weapon officer numbers are also a factor as one officer has to be a lethal option to cover and protect the less lethal option officer. Other factors that play a part in the decision to use a taser or impact munitions include the subject's means, opportunity, and intentions. Means, what the subject possesses to do harm to the officer. Opportunity, does the subject have the opportunity to harm the officer or another person , and last intent. Has the subject though actions or words indicated his or her intention. These are the main factors officers must consider prior to using force. If you are confronted by a police officer please comply with their requests. Do the Lake Oswego Police track lost and missing pets? If you lose a pet, what is the best way to find it again? (6/22/2006) The Lake Oswego Police Department will put great effort in reuniting pets with their owners; however, our avenues are limited when we aren't able to make identification. A common occurrence in this City is the wandering dog. On first approach, our Officers will check for a collar and License. Our Police Department has access to the City of Lake Oswego's Dog License records and can quickly run the dog's license number to find the owner information at any time of the day and week. Unfortunately, a lot of the dogs we encounter are not wearing a current license. It is a requirement of Lake Oswego Code §31.02.115 to license any dog in the City of Lake Oswego that is over 6 months of age. Not licensing a dog in the City of Lake Oswego as required may result in a citation for the dog's owner. For more information on Licensing your Dog in the City of Lake Oswego, please call (503) 635-0255. Locator Chips are becoming more common and are believed to be a reliable way to identify your pet. This is true when a dog can be easily scanned for a chip and all the chip information is up to date. Unfortunately, police departments rarely have access to a locator chip scanner. To scan a found dog in the City of Lake Oswego, police personnel need to find an open vet clinic. Since dogs are often found on weekends and evenings, it isn't always possible to have them scanned. If your pet has a chip, make sure the information is accurate including a phone number where you can be reached at any time of the day. Clackamas Country Dog Services will scan all dogs for locator chips as part of the lodging process. If you are not able to find your dog, please call our Police Department at (503) 635-0238. Our dispatchers will take down your dog's description, the area you think it may have been lost, and your contact information. Unfortunately, we will not likely be able to help you search for your dog. Please contact our Police Department regardless in case it is found by an Officer or a citizen who informs our department. If you find a dog, please also inform our Police Department. It has not escaped my attention that there are many other kinds of pets besides that of the canine persuasion. We do not have any Ordinances concerning cats so if your cat is missing or you find a cat, you can contact the local classifieds and post a photo or description of your cat. You can also contact local business and ask them to present a flyer or photograph with your contact information. Please do not use trees, street posts, traffic signs, etc to post information about your missing pet, for it is a violation of City Code to do so. The best way to protect your pet is prevention. We do understand that pets have minds of their own and our best attempts at keeping them secure are not always successful. Please make sure your pet is properly secured, can be identified and is licensed when required. I am thinking about buying my 14 year old child a motorized scooter for Christmas. What are the rules regarding these devices? (12/13/2006) Let's start with the definition of a motor assisted scooter: A motor-assisted scooter:
Who can operate them??? Although a driver license is not required for motor-assisted scooters riders must be at least 16 years old (ORS §807.020 and §814.512) and be eligible for driving privileges. It is also possible for a person whose driving privileges are suspended or revoked to be charged with operating any motorized vehicle while suspended/revoked - including a motor-assisted scooter - on public roads. There are several laws that govern the operation of motor assisted scooters. A few of these are:
In addition, an operator of a motor assisted scooter upon a public roadway is subject to all laws as any other vehicle operating on public roadways, except for those laws that by there very nature can have no application. Motor assisted scooters do not need to be registered or titled and no liability insurance is required. For more detailed information visit the Oregon DMV website: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/vehicle/pocketbike_factsheet.shtml To see a listing of all ORS (traffic laws) related to motor assisted scooter go to: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/vehicle/violations.shtml If I am driving and I encounter a funeral procession, do I have to yield to the procession? Also, do the funeral escorts have any authority to tell me what to do? (4/18/2009) While it is probably the nice and respectful thing to do, according to Oregon Revised Statute §811.802, you are also required to yield to a funeral procession when it is accompanied by a funeral escort vehicle. Failure to do so is a class D violation which can result in a base fine of $97. Whenever a funeral procession is escorted by a funeral escort vehicle, which is often a motorcycle with flashing red lights, pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicle drivers and anyone else in the path of a funeral procession are required to do the following:
This applies only to persons who knew or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known of the presence of a funeral procession. Persons who are participating in a funeral procession that has funeral escort vehicles or a lead vehicle that has lawfully entered an intersection are permitted to enter the intersection without stopping, but while exercising due caution. They must, however, yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle giving an audible or visual signal or if directed to do so by a police officer. Ultimately, if you encounter a funeral procession, you should stop and allow the procession to pass before you proceed. Also, the escorts do have the authority to make you stop and wait for the procession to pass. As was mentioned above, failure to do so could result in a citation. What time do citizens have to be out of the parks? What happens if we're contacted after hours? (6/17/2008) 10 pm is the closing time for all parks in Lake Oswego, with the exception of Millennium Park which closes at Midnight. The parks remain closed until 6am. If anyone is contacted in the parks during the hours the parks are closed, they are subject to a $100 citation. In addition, vehicles parked unattended in the parks after hours are also subject to a $100 citation and possible tow. While contact with police in the park after hours doesn$t automatically mean a citation will be issued, Lake Oswego Police would like to remind citizens to be mindful of the time and to know periodic sweeps of parks occur during the night. What is the law about parking on the sidewalk? Can police take action? (11/20/2006) The police department does enforce this violation through the State ORS §811.555 and also through the Lake Oswego City Code, §32.06.080. These both prohibit the parking of vehicles on a sidewalk where there would be interference with pedestrian traffic. ORS §811.550, Parking, Stopping, and Standing, (4) prohibits parking on a sidewalk. This is enforced through ORS §811.555 Illegal Stopping, Standing, or Parking; Penalty. LOC §32.06.080, Obstructing Traffic, states it shall be unlawful for any person to stop, park, place, erect or maintain any vehicle or other object in such a position or location as to obstruct, endanger or interfere with the free and normal flow of vehicles or pedestrian traffic upon any highway, alley, sidewalk, crosswalk, driveway, or bridge approach, to obstruct the vision of drivers or pedestrians, or in any other manner to create a traffic hazard. A police officer shall order the owner or operator of the vehicle to remove it, or if the vehicle is unattended, the officer may cause it to be towed. If you find this to be a problem please call our dispatch center to report this or any other violations. We are about to do some construction and would like to rent a "POD". What are the laws about where you can place them? (3/28/2007) If you are planning to rent a POD to use for storage, please follow these requirements. It is recommended to place your POD in your driveway. If you do place the POD on the street, it must not block the right of way, access to mailboxes, fire hydrants, block fire lanes, neighbor's driveways and it cannot block the visibility at intersections. Before ordering a POD, it is suggested you contact Joe Collins at the Lake Oswego Engineering Department at 503-635-0267 for assistance. What constitutes a misuse of 911? (8/30/2005) The Lake Oswego dispatch center receives many non priority calls on our emergency lines. Since we treat all 911 calls as high priority emergencies until we know otherwise, sometimes we have to put a high priority call on hold to answer a low priority call. In heavy call load situations people reporting true emergencies can even reach a busy signal due to non emergency callers using 911 improperly. ORS §165.570 says that it is an improper use to call 911 for a situation other than one the person reasonably believes requires prompt service to preserve human life or property. Appropriate 911 calls are those where there is immediate danger to life or property, such as any property crime in progress (such as a car that is being broken into now) or a fire or medical emergency. Other emergencies include things such as in progress traffic crimes (DUII or road rage incidents), assaults in progress, or immediate traffic hazards (a large piece of scrap metal in the roadway). Non emergency calls, such as a car that was broken into sometime in the past 3 hours or a mailbox that was smashed sometime overnight are more appropriately reported to the police on the non-emergency line, (503) 635-0238. Our non-emergency line is answered by the same professionals who handle the 911 calls and is staffed 24 hours a day, but its use allows operators to prioritize which ringing phone to answer first and leaves the 911 lines open for people who have immediate emergencies. Often people call 911 because they don't realize there is a better place to call. For instance, ODOT's 511 service provides information on road and weather conditions throughout the state, yet people still call 911 to find out if the roads are safe to drive in during inclement weather. We also receive many calls about power outages. 911 generally has no information regarding the cause or duration of a power outage; the 24 hour outage & information number for PGE is (503) 464 7777. Sometimes people don't realize the non-emergency number is 24 hours, so they call 911 for their neighbors' loud parties, barking dogs, and abandoned autos. We get 911 calls of cats stuck in trees (tree services are better equipped to help). People occasionally call 911 looking for other phone numbers, such as police agencies elsewhere in the state, or local hospital numbers to check on someone who already is being treated. 411 is actually faster to find those numbers, and most of them are listed in the phone book. Don't hesitate to call 911 for an emergency! What do the stripes on police officer's uniforms mean? (7/21/2008) Most police departments are paramilitary organizations and have a similar rank structure. The Lake Oswego police rank structure is as follows; police officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and chief. The police officers are the ones you are most likely to meet on the street. They can be assigned to patrol, traffic or detectives. Police officers are supervised by patrol sergeants who are identified by the three stripes on each arm of their uniform. There are six sergeants in the Lake Oswego police department; two are assigned to each of the three patrol shifts. Police lieutenants are identified by the single gold bars on their collars. There are three lieutenants; one in charge of the patrol division, one in charge of the traffic division and the third in charge of the detective division. We have two captains; the first is the operations captain (Don Forman) and oversees the patrol and detective lieutenants while the administration captain (Mike Hammons) oversees traffic, LOCOM and records. The captains wear two gold bars on each collar. Dan Duncan is our Chief of Police and makes all major decisions regarding the police department. He is identified by the stars worn on his collar. When a person moves to Oregon, how much time do they have to get an Oregon Drivers License and if their out of state license is still good for several years, is it good here? Also how long are out of state car registrations are good for? (4/19/2007) Per Oregon Revised Statutes, Vehicle Law: ORS §803.300 Failure to Register states that a person commits this offense if they own a vehicle in this state and do not register it in this state. There are exemptions to this. ORS §807.010 states that a person commits the offense of operating a vehicle without driving privileges if the person operates a motor vehicle in this state without an appropriate grant of driving privileges from this state in the form of a license or driver's permit. The statute refers to "residents" of this state. Per DMV: One must register their vehicle(s) in the State of Oregon and obtain an Oregon Driver's license when they become a resident of this state or are taking steps to become a resident of this state. Being a resident of this state or taking steps to become a resident may include, but not limited to: living within the state, owning or renting a residence in this state, being employed in this state, paying utility bills in this state such as electric, water, natural gas, telephone service, etc.… Oregon Revised Statutes §803.200 - Residency: A person is a resident of this state for purposes of titling and registering vehicles if the person engages in any gainful employment in this state or takes action to indicate the acquiring of residence in this state by doing any of the following:
However, a person who is gainfully employed in this state shall not be considered a resident if the person has taken no other steps to become a resident. This applies to, but is not limited to, students at an educational institution who is paying non-resident tuition rates. There is no time limit or time frame regarding when you register your vehicle(s) and obtain an Oregon driver's license. Basically once you become a resident of this state or are taking steps to become a resident of this state you must title and register your vehicle(s) in this state and obtain an Oregon driver's license. What is the penalty for graffiti? (12/10/2008) "Graffiti" means any inscriptions, words, figures, or designs that are marked, etched, scratched, drawn, painted, pasted or otherwise affixed to the surface of property. Criminal statutes that generally apply would include: ORS §164.383 Unlawfully applying graffiti (Class A violation), ORS §164.386 Unlawfully possessing graffiti implement (Class C violation), ORS §164.345 Criminal mischief in the third degree (Class C misdemeanor), ORS §164.354 Criminal Mischief in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor), and ORS §164.365 Criminal mischief in the first degree (Class C Felony). As you can see the above listed statues have classes that range from a C violation (least severe) to a C felony (most severe). Generally the higher the dollar loss associated to the damaged property, the more severe the charge will be. For the statutes that are violations; upon a conviction a court can not only impose fines but can also impose up to 100 hours of community service for Unlawfully applying graffiti and up to 50 hours of community service for Unlawfully possessing graffiti implement. In both of these cases the community service must include "removing graffiti, either those that the defendant created or those created by another, or both". For crimes, a conviction can certainly lead to fines, community service, probation, and even a jail sentence. What do the police see at night after midnight? Does anything happen? What's going on at that hour? (12/15/2005) One of the reason's many officers choose to work graveyard is in fact the type of work. Many things go on in the middle of the night. Most of the crimes in progress and violent confrontations with people occur in the middle of the night. After midnight most "normal" people are in bed. With Lake Oswego having a reputation as an affluent community the middle of the night is when people from other areas come into town to try and commit crimes. Most mail thefts, Car break-ins, Burglaries, DUII's, Domestic Assaults, Stolen cars, Noise Complaints and Criminal Mischief's all occur in the middle of the night. Officers often come into contact with Runaway Juveniles, Minors in Possession of Alcohol (MIP), Curfew Violations, Transients, and people with mental disorders in the middle of the night. Officers respond to many "suspicious circumstances" type calls and of course the numerous DUII's that are both called in and located by the Officers. Many people contacted after midnight are under the influence of alcohol and or drugs. This increases the threat level for the officers as the people we come into contact with are often not rational or emotionally stable. In the last year Officers have responded to suicides, suicide attempts, a stabbing, several incidents where shots were actually fired, a kidnapping, several menacing with a firearm calls, missing persons, fatal/serious injury car wrecks, and sexual assault calls. Most of the mentioned calls all had arrests associated with them. These incidents all occurred in the middle of the night. It takes a special bred of officer to be able to stay up all night, attend court or training in the morning or afternoon and then return back to work at night to a very unpredictable, fast paced, in progress environment. The graveyard Officers of the Lake Oswego Police Department are a dedicated and professional group that keep vigil in their watch over the city, in the middle of the night. What's the purpose of filing a police report if something small is stolen, say a car stereo? Probably the police can't go out and look for it, so is there another reason to make a report? (11/8/2005) If you are the victim of any crime you need to report it to the police department. The citizens of Lake Oswego are the police department's best observers. Information obtained by citizens, is many times a critical piece of information in solving a case. Regarding theft specifically there are several reasons to report it to the police, even if it is something very small. For the police department to know there is a problem, one must first be reported to us. This enables patrol officers and detectives to concentrate on those areas of the city that may have a specific problem, and address that specific problem with all of the police department's resources. One of many cases solved this year involved a serial day time burglar. The suspect was targeting residences in Lake Oswego and Portland during the day time hours. A pattern of the suspect's activities was assembled, and detectives and patrol officers arrested the suspect in Lake Oswego on his way to commit a burglary. In order for the Lake Oswego Police Department to keep the City of Lake Oswego crime free it is imperative that the citizens and police department work together. This can be done by reporting all suspicious activity. Additionally if you have information that is confidential in nature feel free to visit the police department web site where you can provide information anonymously. Only by working and communicating together will we keep the City of Lake Oswego crime free, and keep the standard of living the highest in the northwest. Do police radar guns cause cancer? (10/18/2005) First let's talk a bit about how they work: Radar units can be either hand held units or mounted in a police vehicle. In the case of the radar units that are mounted, the units can work in the stationary mode (for when the police vehicle is parked on the side of the road) or in the moving mode. In the moving mode, the radar unit can acquire speeds of target vehicles when the police vehicle is driving down the road. The radar unit/antenna can pick up target vehicles coming at it from the opposite direction or from behind it going in the same direction. Police radar units (not guns) use microwave energy in the form of an invisible beam. The beam is constant as long as the unit/beam is activated. The radar beam is sent out from the radar unit, hits the target vehicle, and bounces back to the antenna portion of the radar unit. How does this measure speed of the target vehicle? The unit calculates speed from the beams that are "bounced back" or reflected by the target vehicle. It uses a principle known at as the Doppler Principle or Doppler Effect. The Doppler Principle works with radar units the same as it does for sound waves. The unit sends out a microwave at a known frequency and receives the reflected microwave that is bounced back by the target vehicle. It calculates this change in frequency which results in a speed value which is displayed on the unit's digital readout. Is radar a vehicle specific device? No it is not. If there are several vehicles within the radar units' beam it cannot distinguish between each separate vehicle. It may acquire speeds of all individual vehicles by "bouncing" back and forth from each one. In this case, the officer operating the unit has to rely on his/her training and experience to accurately assess which is the fastest vehicle. Can a police officer get cancer or cataracts from using the radar unit? Most forms of radar use waves in the microwave range. Questions have been raised about exposure to radar and the risk of developing cancer, such as in police officers who use radar guns in traffic enforcement. To date there is very little evidence to support such a connection, but studies to look at this possibility are ongoing, and governmental recommendations have been made to reduce any possible risk. There have been several studies performed in trying to answer this question. There have been no scientific conclusions reached. The power of the radar beam is very low and there are precautions that the operating officer can take to minimize exposure. Can the general public get cancer or cataracts from being exposed to police radar? No. Microwave energy, like that used by police radar, is non-ionizing radiation and is emitted at very low energies. However, extremely high doses/exposures to microwave energy can cause certain health problems, the amount of exposure that the general public would get is very, very low and would not resulted in adverse health problems. It is ionizing radiation, like that from x-rays and nuclear material, have been shown to cause cancer if exposed to high amounts. Is riding a bike on the sidewalk legal? And if it is not, is this something the Lake Oswego Police can take care of? We have a problem with this on A Avenue and it's very unsafe. Pedestrians are being blindsided by bikers as they exit the shops. (2/12/2007) When dealing with the issue of the legality of riding bicycles on the sidewalk in Lake Oswego, there are two sets of laws that are relevant in addressing the issue: Oregon Revised Statute (ORS), §814.410, and Lake Oswego Code (LOC) section §32.10.810. LOC §32.02,002 adopts the State Statute. However, there are some differences. Both require bicyclists riding on the sidewalk to yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and the bicyclist must give an audible warning to pedestrians on the sidewalk. LOC additionally requires bicyclists, whether in the street or on sidewalks, riding from sunset to sunrise or during periods of low visibility to have a light operating on the front of the bike. LOC makes the parent responsible for the unlawful operation of a bike by a person who lacks the physical or mental judgment or maturity. ORS prohibits riding a bike on the sidewalk in a dangerous or careless manner and also requires bicyclists to travel on a sidewalk at a speed no greater than an ordinary walk when approaching a driveway, a cross-walk or pedestrian ramp. Under ORS electric bicycles are prohibited on sidewalks. Violations of ORS §814.410 are class D violations carrying a base fine of $90.00. Violations of LOC §32.10.810 are class C violations carrying a base fine of $180.00. Of course, there is always the issue of using common sense when riding on a sidewalk in front of a store where people are exiting, and also on the part of people exiting stores onto a sidewalk where there may be bicyclists riding. Why do police do inspections of trucks like the one on Country Club Feb. 2? What are they looking for? (2/7/2006) Officers who do commercial motor vehicle inspections are certified by ODOT. They are safety inspectors and thy make sure trucks and drivers are legal and safe. There are three levels of truck inspections. A level III inspection is a check of the driver and his log book. At a level II inspection, we check lights, windshield wipers, tires and wheels, warning systems, if the load is tight and any number of safety issues visible without going under the truck. A level I inspection includes all of the above and looking at everything under the truck, like air lines and valves, brake shoes, brake drums. We also check steering, fuel lines, the fame and look for any other problems. Inspectors can put a truck out of service for any number of severe safety violations. It is this way in all 50 states, plus Mexico and Canada. Once out of service, the driver may not drive until the violation has been fixed. This may mean that they have to get the proper driver license for the truck they are driving or getting the required amount of sleep. The goal of roadside inspections is to keep the roads safe. The hope is that the drivers and their companies will be responsible and maintain their trucks and follow the safety practices for drivers so inspectors won't be needed in the future. How loud is too loud for a stereo in your house or car? (1/1/2006) Unreasonable sound amplification from a vehicle or dwelling is prohibited by Oregon Revised Statute and Lake Oswego Code. First, Oregon Revised Statute §815.232 (Unreasonable Sound Amplification from a Vehicle) states:
Second, Lake Oswego Code (LOC) §34.10.539 (Specific Noise Prohibitions) states:
Although LOC §34.10.539 specifies the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., it is important to remember that disturbing or unnecessary noise in the City at any time of day is prohibited by Lake Oswego Code (LOC) §34.10.537, which states:
A fine of up to $1000.00 may be imposed on a violation of LOC §34.10.537 or §34.10.539. What crimes increase in the summer months? (6/30/2005) Summer months means no school for our youth. This means kids are out later, which causes an increase in curfew violations. As a reminder, curfew times for the months of June, July and August for youth under 14 who have not yet begun high school, is between the hours of 10:15pm and 6:00am. For those 14 and over who have begun high school, curfew is between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00am. Violations of curfew are covered under Lake Oswego City Code (LOC) §34.06.159 titled Curfew - Generally. The City Code is more restrictive than state statute, which is covered under Oregon Revised Code (ORS) §419C.680 titled Curfew. Curfew violations are handled according to the situation and can vary. In some cases it may just be a phone call to the parent or guardian. In other cases the youth may be lodged at the Juvenile Reception Center (JRC) in Oregon City, who would then release the youth to the parent or guardian. A referral report would then be sent to the Juvenile Department of the youths residing county. This could also entail the impound of a vehicle if the youth is driving and in violation of curfew. Along with the increase in curfew violations, we also see and increase in Minor in Possession (MIP) of Alcohol charges. Lake Oswego has a very strict "Zero Tolerance" policy. This means that any time a youth is found with alcohol in his/her possession, which includes alcohol by consumption, they will be charged under LOC §34.02.051(3), also covered under ORS §471.430. MIP's are handled similarly to curfew violations. Charges for MIP are also done by a referral report being sent to the Juvenile Department of the youths residing county. Depending on the circumstances, the parent or guardian may be contacted to pick up the youth, or they may be lodged at JRC. Parents help in educating our youth about these issues will give them a better understanding of the consequences of curfew violations and MIP charges. When police are responding to an emergency and they are coming up behind you with their lights on is better to stop as soon as possible or turn onto a side street/parking lot where it might be more safe? (11/20/2006) The best answer would be to pull over at the closest spot possible that maintains your safety. Obviously if the road has an abrupt edge or no edge it would be best to continue on the right hand side until it is safe to pull over to a complete stop. Some of the problems officers see are vehicles that maintain their direction of travel in the left lane, remain stopped at a green light, and vehicles that pull back out into traffic without confirming that another officer isn't coming. It is important for vehicles to always try to make their way to the right hand side not the center or left side. When at a signal light with both lanes full it is best for the right lane to make a safe right turn, if possible, allowing the vehicles in the left lane to move over and officers to pass on the left. Police officers are trained to pass on the left. Drivers should also turn down any radios in the vehicle so they can hear if there are other officers responding, any directions being given by an officer over the PA speaker, or even other emergency vehicles such as Fire trucks or Ambulance that may also be en route. Another law to be aware of is ORS §811.147 Failure to maintain safe distance from emergency vehicle or ambulance. This law states it is a violation when a driver fails to; make a lane change to a lane not adjacent to that of a emergency vehicle (that is stopped and displaying emergency lights) when on a highway with two or more lanes for traffic in a single direction. In layman's terms this means if capable when a police officer is on the side of the road with their emergency lights on and the road has two or more lanes in the same direction, move one lane over away from the officer's vehicle. Do I have to use my turn signal when leaving a roundabout and could I get a ticket if I don't? (3/10/2009) This is an excellent question considering that we are seeing roundabouts more often in the Portland Metro area. The short answer is yes. The ORS (§811.400,) Failure to Use Appropriate Signal says:
The purpose of roundabouts is to keep a smooth flow of traffic and prevent traffic jams. This has proven to be very effective with the two roundabouts on Stafford road. The most effective way to make other drivers aware of your intentions is through the use of appropriate vehicle signals. You could be stopped and cited by law enforcement for not signaling while exiting a roundabout. The officer would take into consideration the circumstances surrounding the situation prior to making that determination. At State Street (North Bound) and A Avenue there was a sign at the signal which said it was legal to stop in the center northbound lane to wait for the left turn signal to turn green. Now the sign is no longer on the signal. What's the law now, and how should vehicle operators act? It's very confusing. (9/30/2006) Indeed it is confusing! When heading north bound on State Street at A Avenue there are two signs which indicate that the center lane ahead, is a lane which you can either turn left or straight. The light will first illuminate a green forward arrow and a green left arrow simultaneously. After several seconds the left arrow will cycle and shut off. The light will then only illuminate the forward arrow; this is when the confusion occurs. Drivers in the middle lane intending to turn left, stop because the forward signal is only illuminated and they want to turn left. THIS IS LEGAL. According to Oregon Revised Statute §811.260 ( Appropriate driver responses to traffic control devices) (1-Green Signal), a driver facing a green light "MAY" proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at the place prohibits either turn. ORS §811.260 indicates you "may proceed" not "shall proceed" straight. In addition the signs indicate that the lane is used for either continuing straight or turning left. A person stopped on a forward arrow while heading north bound on State Street and wanting to proceed west bound on A Avenue should not be cited for §811.265-Failure to obey a traffic control device or §811.130 Impeding traffic. The driver should however clearly indicate to the vehicles behind them that they intend to turn by signaling left far in advance to turning (at least 100 feet according to ORS §811.375). When only the forward arrow is green do not turn left. If traffic appears to be backing up considerably you may want to use some consideration and proceed northbound to B Avenue and use the left turn lane. For further information regarding the above scenario or other appropriate driver responses see listed Oregon Revised Statutes below or visit http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/. §811.265 Failure to obey traffic control device; penalty.
§811.260 Appropriate driver responses to traffic control devices. This section establishes appropriate driver responses to specific traffic control devices for purposes of ORS §811.265. Authority to place traffic control devices is established under ORS §810.210. Except when acting under the direction of a police officer that contradicts this section, a driver is in violation of ORS §811.265 if the driver makes a response to traffic control devices that is not permitted under the following:
§811.130 Impeding traffic; penalty.
Since Lake Oswego Police got Tasers®, have they been used often? Why or why not? (8/21/2005) We first deployed our Tasers® starting in January of 2005. In order for an Officer to carry a Taser® they had to attend an 8 hour certification class that was put on by our departments Taser® instructors. The class consisted of 5 hours of class room instruction that included learning about the Taser®, firing the Taser® at targets, learning the proper application of the Taser®, passing a written test and then getting at least a one second jolt from the Taser®. Some of our Officers volunteered to be shot with Taser® and take a full 5 seconds of the Taser® application. We then had 3 hours of roll playing where the officers were subjected to different scenarios. These scenarios were used as training for the officers to see how they would react to certain situations and if they would use the Taser® appropriately. All of our Officers had to pass this training before they were allowed to carry a Taser®. We finished training the entire department by the end of March. Since deploying the Taser® at the end of the training we have not had to fire a Taser® at anyone. We have had incidents were we have pulled our Tasers® and pointed them at persons, but they have complied with our wishes and we were able to resolve the issue without firing the Taser®. We believe there are a couple of reasons we haven't had to fire them. Our training, not only in the Tasers®, but in all aspects of our job is excellent. Because of some of this training we are able to use our communication skills to de-escalate situations that have the potential to get out of hand. If the circumstances allow it we would much rather talk someone out of a situation instead of using even a reasonable amount of force. Another reason is that most of the people we deal with have heard about the Taser® and when we show up, and they see that we have Tasers®, they make good decisions about their behavior. There has been a lot of media coverage about the Taser® and there is also word of mouth on the street. We have had a number of people say, when we show up, that they have heard about the Taser® and don't want to see it in action. We know that at some point we will need to use our Tasers®. We can feel confident that, when we do, it will be a wise choice and one that will keep both our Officer and subject from unnecessary injury. I'm a senior at Lakeridge High School and I'm doing a project about DUI. I've been given a hypothetical situation that I'm grown up and my high school aged child has been arrested for DUI and calls home for bail at 3:15 a.m. I was wondering what kind of insight you could provide for what you would do in the situation. What kind of penalties would the person charged get? Also, are DUI laws/punishments different for someone under the age of 18 vs. someone older? (5/25/2009) Driving under the influence of intoxicants is a crime in Oregon. Anyone operating a motor vehicle in the state of Oregon is subject to arrest if impairment is discovered by a law enforcement officer. The common misconception for many people is the level of the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC), which the "legal" limit in Oregon and most states is .08%. However, impairment is defined as the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness. Alcoholic beverages or any other intoxicant other than alcohol can impair the abilities of a driver to operate a vehicle safely. Once an officer has determined that a driver is impaired by an intoxicant and driving under the influence, then the officer should arrest the driver. Once arrested, a person will be asked if they will submit to a breath test, urine test, blood test, or a combination of tests, depending on the circumstances. Per the DMV Implied Consent, if a driver subject's himself or herself to a breath test and fails, then their driver's license will be seized immediately and later suspended for a minimum of 90 days up to 3 years. A person 21 years of age and older will have failed the breath test if their BAC is .08% or higher. A person 21 or older driving a commercial motor vehicle will have failed the breath test if their BAC is .04% or higher. A person under the age of 21 will have failed the breath test if their BAC is higher than .00%. A refusal of any test will result in additional charges, fines, and longer suspension of the driver's license. The crimes associated with DUII are as follows:
Diversion is one option for eligible drivers as a consequence for DUII (See your local court officials for further details about diversion). The penalties for DUII do not change with the age of the arrested driver. I've heard there is some type of telephone scam going around, what should I do if I get a similar call? (2/16/2006) Recently there have been a number of complaints from citizens in Lake Oswego to the police department about receiving phone calls from a male purporting to be their grandson. The caller doesn't say his name but waits for the "to be victim" to say their grandsons name then goes from there. The caller tells them he is in jail in Vancouver BC, needs $5000 and would they send the cash by Moneygram from Wal-Mart. He provides an address saying it is the municipal jail. This is not the case, these people are just trying to get your money. When people are in jail they can only call out collect. The police department was able to trace one of the calls due to a citizen assistance and remembering to hit *57. (*57 traps the number with the telephone company and enables the police to get that information from them). The number returned to a cell phone from Canada. The Canadian authorities have been notified and given the information. Save any telephone numbers that may be on the caller ID, write down the information given by the caller and do not send any money. There are many people out there just waiting for the right victim to "scam". Please do not fall for these scams and report it as soon as possible to the police department. What happens if someone under the age of 21 is caught drinking? (6/23/2008) According to ODOT and DMV, people under the age of 21 may lose their driving privileges for up to one year if convicted of ORS §471.430; Minor in Possession of Alcohol. As of January 1, 2008, the new law empowered the courts to deny driving privileges upon conviction of such violations to prevent and deter minors from making further poor decisions. "The purpose of the law is twofold: to discourage underage drinking and to help prevent driving under the influence of intoxicants" (ODOT, 2008). Oregon has seen an impact of the new law in 2008 with over 360 suspensions through April. So, before you kids think about drinking alcoholic beverages before you're 21, ask yourself how important is your driving privilege? Refer to the following website or call for more details: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/nr08042301.shtml My neighbors are always having parties and making too much noise and their dogs bark all the time. Is there some kind of law that prohibits unnecessary noise? (5/25/2009) Yes there is. Officers have found noise complaints to be a growing problem in our neighborhoods. The City of Lake Oswego established a City Code Section §34.10.537 for loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise. It states, "It shall be unlawful for any person to create, assist in creating, permit, continue or permit the continuance of any loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise in the City at any time of day." In Section §34.10.539 it describes which specific noises are prohibited; barking dogs, residential construction, the operation or sound production from electrical equipment and the creation of noise from a gathering of persons. Refer to the City Code which can be found at the following website: http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/tools/CityCode/GetCode.aspx?34 The following noise nuisances are found to be most common in Lake Oswego:
If I buy oversized tires for my vehicle that stick out past the fenders, do I have to buy bigger mudguards or fender flares? (5/3/2006) This law requires vehicles with aftermarket tires (wider or larger than the fenders) to purchase aftermarket fender flares that will cover the tread of the vehicle. When vehicles are manufactured they are compliant to the law. Failure to have proper fenders or mudguards is a violation of ORS §815.185 and is punishable by a fine of $145.00. If a person is cited for this violation and they correct the problem the court will dismiss the violation. ORS §815.180 -
What does a person have to do to become a Police Officer? (9/5/2005) A lot of times citizens stop us and ask what it takes to become a police officer. Once you meet the minimum requirements, no felony convictions, no misdemeanor sexual or domestic violence convictions, high school diploma, good driving record and moral character you can apply to become a police officer in the state of Oregon. The first thing to do is find an agency looking for an Officer and complete the application. If you meet the minimum requirements you may be invited to take a written test. After completing the written test and scoring high enough you are then invited to an oral interview. After the interview all of the applicants are ranked. As a general rule three applicants for every one open position go to the background stage of the hiring process. The background is an in depth personal history examination. The applicant's criminal history, driving record, credit and finances are reviewed. Any contact with the police is also reviewed. Every location the applicant has every lived must be listed and is followed up on. The applicants work history and education is all reviewed. Previous employers are contacted as well as family members and friends. Any one that has daily contact with the applicant is contacted and interviewed. It is imperative that every step is taken to ensure that the police officer candidate is not only truthful in every aspect of his life but is of a high moral character without prejudices. After passing this invasive investigation the top applicants are invited to a chief's interview. Upon successful completion of the chief's interview the applicant is offered a conditional position based on successful completion of a psychological examination and medical examination. The psychological profile is a six-eight hour examination consisting of approximately a 1000 written questions and an interview with the psychologist. Successful completion of the psychological and medical examination means the officer is now hired as a police officer. Now the real work begins as the police recruit goes to the basic police academy for 10 weeks. After completing the basic academy the officer is now assigned to a Field Training Officer for 18 weeks working various shifts. At the end of this 28 week training course the officer is now on solo status and on probation for the first 18 months of his career. During this probation period the officer can be terminated for any reason. Of all the applicants that apply for a police officer position less than one percent are hired and complete their training. Off all the officers hired less than 50 percent are still employed as police officers after five years. All of the officers at the Lake Oswego Police Department are highly dedicated proficient officers who love the city they serve. Which of Lake Oswego's Parks have the most criminal activity at night? If you were going to walk your dog after dark, which is the best bet for safety? (1/4/2006) In general there is very little crime in our City Parks. When there is an incident it generally involves criminal mischief (damage to property) or juvenile problems. But then again this is not a common issue. Lake Oswego continues to have one of the lowest crime rates in the state. Many people in the City take advantage of the evenings to exercise their pets and themselves. As with any city it is safest to walk in areas that are well lit and off the driven portion of the roadway. If you find a street light out please call our maintenance department or dispatch center to report it. I suggest that when out after daylight that you wear light colored clothing with some type of reflective vest. These types of vests are readily available and inexpensive. You can also attach a small red blinking light to your dogs color or your waist. It is also a good idea to always have a cell phone with you for any emergencies. What does a School Resource Officer do? (9/22/2009) My name is Steve Filippelli. I have been an Officer with the Lake Oswego Police Department for 10½ years. I am completing my first year as School Resource Officer (SRO) for the Lake Oswego Schools and I've really enjoyed working with the kids. Most of my work is in the Elementary and Middle Schools where I have done over 600 class presentations this school year on various safety topics ranging from stranger safety and personal safety to drug and alcohol education and mock trials. Most of these class presentations last about an hour and are taught to the kids in their classrooms. I partner with the teachers and during that hour I get to be not only a Police Officer, but a teacher. Some of my other duties this year included teaching Driver's Ed classes, working all the home football games for both Lake Oswego and Lakeridge and hosting the CSI Summer Camp presented through the city's Parks and Recreation Department. I have also arranged for and assisted with K-9 demonstrations, Bike Rodeo's and traffic control for special school events. As SRO, I try to build positive relationships with students and act as a resource to them and their families. I assist teachers and school administration with issues and special projects when requested and maintain a good working relationship with them. I am the liaison between the Police Department and the schools. I investigate criminal calls and DHS Referrals that involve the schools and help maintain a safe learning environment in the schools. |
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