Noting his extreme gratitude to the public, local police and school staff, Police Chief Jason Ogden honored multiple individuals for their role in halting a potentially threatening situation during the Sept. 24 City Council meeting.
Chief Ogden cited what might be called a somewhat symbiotic relationship between community members, police and school administration as the reason why the problem was able to be resolved quickly and smoothly.
“This is coming together and taking a problem that we had and solving it quickly due to the existing relationships,” Chief Ogden said.
Police staff who received a Chief’s Award of Merit, city and police challenge coins, and a pin were: Capt. Ryan Cummings, Officer Daniel Gerkman, Sgt. Geoff Hamlin, Commander Penny Leland, Dispatcher Katie Lyon, Officer Cody McPherson, Det. Sean Potter, School Resource Officer Tyler Robinson and Dispatcher Rachel Warren.
Community members who received a Public Service Award, and city and police challenge coins were: Eturnyti Allison, Christopher Allison and Amanda Kilmer. School District Supt. Terry Martin was honored as well with city and police challenge coins.
“We had a juvenile in town make a social media (video) post and in that post this particular juvenile was holding a gun and made a reference to the Sweet Home high school,” Chief Ogden explained.
Student Eturnyti Allison brought the video to the attention of the local police, which in turn led the police to notify the school district. After some discussion, the district shut all schools down for two days while police conducted an investigation. The suspect, who could not be named due to being a juvenile, initially could not be located, Chief Ogden said.
“I think the thing that really impressed me about the way that this incident was handled was just the relationships that we have established with the school district, from the city and the PD, it was phenomenal,” Chief Ogden said. “We came together, we put a plan together, acted on that plan, and everything about that plan just went so, so smoothly.”
Noting the hard work from police and staff, Chief Ogden said an arrest was able to be made within 24 hours.
“I am extremely thankful for my staff, I’m extremely thankful for the Sweet Home School District, as well as members of the public,” Chief Ogden said. “We came together. I mean, this is what Sweet Home’s about.”
In other business:
- Public Works Director Greg Springman reported that the Green Peter Reservoir is expected to see a significant, fast-rate drop next month. He expects the city will begin seeing turbidity issues once again by mid-October and the water issues will be similar to last year, but added the city is prepared. The water treatment plant’s backwash basins have been completely cleaned out and the department also has a new backwash pump, which will allow for a more efficiently-run system.
- Ogden reported Blair Larsen passed the Oregon bar exam. The council approved hiring Blair Larsen as the city attorney, 5-2; councilors Angelita Sanchez and Dylan Richards opposed. Larsen will continue as the community and economic director until he’s sworn in on Oct. 10.
- The council approved a contract to complete a road overlay on Nandina Street between 9th and 12th avenues. Ogden said the project is expected to cost $77,740 and should last a minimum of eight to 10 years. As much as $50,000 from a Surface Transportation Block Grant will be used for the project. The rest will come from the city’s transportation fund.
- Springman reported that Sweet Home was able to secure two hurricane units from Lebanon at a reduced cost that will assist with better processing of wastewater. Also, staff cleaned both aeration basin units at the wastewater treatment, which hasn’t been done in 20-plus years and resulted in the removal of several yards of sand debris. With that, in addition to a sludge construction project, Springman reported the plant’s quality has greatly improved.
- Mayor Susan Coleman gave a heads-up that the city, watershed council and Army Corps of Engineers will hold public meetings, and the dates will be announced when they are set.
- Mayor Coleman invited the school district to participate in the annual If I Were Mayor contest.
- Councilor Sanchez urged the community to look into Measure 117 regarding ranked choice voting.
- Library Director Megan Dazey reported the library will have increased open hours. They also plan to have a low-sensory hour twice a month where computers will be turned off and a time of quiet will be established.
- Supt. Terry Martin thanked the city and police for their work regarding the aforementioned school threat. He also endorsed Chief Ogden as a potential hire for the city manager position.
- Ken Bronson suggested the council let Chief Ogden continue in his current dual-role as police chief and interim city manager for a time to see how he does before they spend money and time on trying to recruit for a city manager.
- Dawn Miller urged the council to search for a city manager within the community, and to also invite the community to participate in discussions on the matter.
- Robert Egner chided councilors and media for what he said has been “blatant disregard” for one councilman’s actions while apparent “pushback” against another councilman is put forward.
- Farrell Montgomery and Elizabeth Curtis suggested the city adopt an emergency plan for civil emergencies, explaining such a plan could prepare the community for unexpected Internet and utility outages, food insecurities, property rights or unrest that they said is being seen across worldwide society lately.