My vision: Keep Deschutes County safe by focusing on achievable but ambitious priorities.

I have a detailed plan to work with community partners to move homeless encampments off public lands in Deschutes County. 

Yes, this is possible, and it needs to start around China Hat Road. Homeless camping and the threat of devastating wildfire haunt many thousands of residents. I will use a dedicated Sheriff’s Office Homeless Outreach Team to engage homeless campers, and work with federal land managers and local service providers to relocate campers to safer, sanctioned locations. We can and must end homeless camping near China Hat before next summer, then replicate that effort in other parts of the county.

The risks within and surrounding the homeless encampments throughout Deschutes County are serious and many, and the criminality occurring is unacceptable. I have been actively involved with addressing homelessness on duty during incidents, and in meetings with local, state and federal officials. My experience, exposure, and established working relationships, helped me develop a localized plan that works for Deschutes County.

I will aggressively enforce drug laws. 

Over the past year, we have already increased budgeted detective positions to intercept deadly drugs before they get into schools. On September 1, Oregon’s experiment with drug decriminalization ends, giving law enforcement more tools to combat the drug crisis. Measure 110 was a disaster and we have a lot of damage control ahead of us.

There’s more traffic moving faster than ever in Deschutes County. As Patrol Captain, I have stood up a team of deputies focused primarily on traffic safety. I will continue to build on this so that we can ensure our roads and highways are safer for everyone. 

I have a plan to improve shift scheduling for employees individually and as an agency at large. My plan will reduce court appearances on days off, and align coverage so continuing training doesn’t require overtime. These changes will improve quality of life for deputies, and significantly reduce costly overtime.  

I will assign dedicated deputies to outlying areas so community members know their Sheriff’s deputy. Having a personal connection is something I hear over and over in La Pine and Sisters, and we see the successes and upsides to dedicated assignments for the community and the deputies alike.