Number of police calls prompt discussion

by Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

At their regularly-scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the Hines Common Council addressed the number of calls the police have been receiving involving youth from Eastern Oregon Academy (EOA), and the options available to the council to try and alleviate the problem.

Councilor Dick Baird said a citizen who owns a business near EOA had talked to him about the recent break-ins and problems caused by EOA youth.

Hines Police Chief Ryan DeLange presented the council with a file folder full of reports his department had filled out involving EOA youth and added that the reports were just from the first of the year.

DeLange said the youth at EOA are either under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) or the Department of Human Services (DHS). He noted DHS refuses to change their policy in any manner that could help reduce the number of incidents. “They (EOA youth) are creating victims in our city daily,” DeLange said.

Councilor Hilda Allison acknowledged that EOA is abiding by all the state requirements, but there are still problems. She said she has noticed youth scouting cars at The Truck Stop, looking for keys left in the vehicles.

“Why does the city renew their business license, and who is accepting responsibility?” she asked.

Baird stated EOA employs quite a few people and the business is needed in the community. He said if the staff at  EOA is doing all they can and there are still problems, the city needs to get DHS staff to come to a meeting and answer the council’s questions.

“At the last meeting with DHS, I told him our case load had exploded,” DeLange said. “DHS refuses to do anything.”

DeLange explained that if one of the youths are charged with a crime, they are tried in the area of the state they came from, meaning the city has to pay for a local officer to travel to the trial.

“There are three options,” DeLange said. “Get DHS to comply, charge EOA for excessive calls or revoke their license.”

Allison said EOA is doing all they can, but added, “If you’re willing to take money to take these kids in, you have to be responsible for them. Our community doesn’t seem to be any safer.”

DeLange said dispatch has also had problems getting hold of an EOA supervisor at night when incidents occur. He agreed that there is no desire to shut the facility down, but  said the problem needs to be fixed.

“Fine them (EOA) for excessive calls or deny their business license, that’s the only leverage the city holds,” Allison said. “It’s up to them. It’s up to the bureaucracy to see how this comes out, but the safety of the community comes first. It’s 50 jobs we don’t want to lose, but it’s a cost to businesses that are being affected.”

The council agreed to contact DHS and invite them to attend the next meeting to address the concerns.

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The council reviewed the proposed contract with the Harney County Veterinary Clinic for impounding dogs.

The contract includes increased fees for some impounds, and if the owner of the dog doesn’t pay the fee, the city would have to absorb the cost. It was pointed out that the possible increased costs to the city are not in the budget.

“If an owner doesn’t pay, the city shouldn’t be liable for the amount,” Baird said.

DeLange explained that when a dog is impounded, the owner has to go to city hall, pay the fee, then take the receipt out to the vet clinic to retrieve the dog. The vet clinic then bills the city. DeLange suggested that the vet clinic just bill the owner when he/she comes to pick up the dog. “Leave the city out of it,” DeLange said.

DeLange said he would talk to the vet clinic about changing the policy, and the council tabled the discussion and vote until their next meeting.

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During his department head report, DeLange said he attended a conference regarding recreational marijuana and the amount of money cities could receive from sales. He said if cities opt out, they don’t receive any funds, but there is a bill being discussed that would allow cities to opt back in at a later time. He said nobody at the conference had all the answers because the laws keep changing.

DeLange reported that Officer Matt Githens had accepted a job with Harney County Corrections, so they would be short an officer for a while.

DeLange added that citizens should not call city hall if they need the police. They need to contact dispatch at 541-573-6156.

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In other business:

• Fire Chief Bob Spence reported his department had responded to 10 calls in September and four in October so far, including two brush fires. He reminded residents that the conditions are still very dry and to be cautious with fire.

Spence added that there would be a mass casualty incident training on Saturday, Oct. 17, that would last about three hours;

• Maintenance Supervisor Jerry Lewellen told the council there was another water main break on South Newport, and he had received 17 new water meters;

• the council voted to make $100 donations to the Harney County Hospice Wine and Food Festival and the Kids Club of Harney County “Raise A Kid” campaign.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at city hall.