Safety Matters - October 2007

I hope many of you were able to watch the television program “Crystal Darkness” on Tuesday evening the 9th. It was a tremendous documentary about the continued effects that Methamphetamines have on our society and families. If you weren’t able to see the program the Vernonia Police Department has ordered a copy of the DVD and will be teaming up with the Community Drug-Free Coalition to show the documentary again. The VPD also has a copy of “Crystal Misery” a documentary produced in Washington County using subjects and events involving meth from the local area. We will be presenting this film as well in the near future. Meth labs are not as prevalent anymore but the effects of meth use are worse than ever. If you need information on the effects of Meth or would like a list of Meth resources for Columbia County there are resource lists at the front window of the station and a “Meth Resources” link on the VPD website at http://vpd.vernonia-or.gov Since the beginning of Summer the City of Vernonia has seen an increase in the amount of Criminal Mischief/Vandalism incidents. The incidents range from the painting of graffiti in bathrooms and on the Rock Creek Bridge to the damaging of picnic tables, breaking of flower baskets, to the damaging of the new bicycle skills park being constructed on the old mill property. When I look at these vandalism incidents I look beyond the tangible monetary costs of the damage. I look at the effect on the victim(s), the effect on the community, and the over-all picture that this activity paints of the City of Vernonia. Prospective businesses, residents, and visitors do not want to invest in or even go to a community that has crime issues, even comparatively small issues like vandalism. An act of vandalism can be perpetrated for many reasons including: revenge, boredom, accident caused by reckless behavior, or even a strong anti-social mindset. Regardless of the cause, people do not want to live in a community where their hard-earned money is spent repairing their property or publicly-owned property. Criminal Mischief is covered under ORS 164.345 (3rd Degree); 354 (2nd Degree); 365 (1st Degree). 3rd Degree states: intent to cause substantial inconvenience…person tampers or interferes with property of another; Class C Misdemeanor. 2nd Degree states: intentionally or recklessly damages property of another in amount exceeding $100; Class A Misdemeanor. 1st Degree states: damages or destroys property of another in excess of $750, or by means of explosive, or by starting a fire in an institution, or is a livestock animal defined by statute, or property of public utility, railroad, transport facility, medical facility; Class C Felony. If convicted of any of the Criminal Mischief statutes you can face a fine, jail time, fees, and restitution to the victim(s). Consecutive acts of could also be viewed as cumulative damage putting several small damages over the $750 threshold making it a Felony. Being convicted of a Felony will follow someone the rest of their lives and put many restrictions on them. Something to think about next time before spraying that paint, breaking that window, or tearing up that construction site. If you have any information on any acts of vandalism in the Vernonia area please call the police department with the information. You can remain anonymous if you so choose. Vernonia Pride is offering a reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the party(ies) responsible for the graffiti damage on and under the Rock Creek Bridge by Shay Park as well as the damage to the hanging flower baskets around Jamboree. You can call the Vernonia Police Department at 503-429-7335 to provide information on any crime or to access the numerous resources provided by the department. You can also email me at chief@vernonia-or.gov