As Sheriff, I attended an event with Attorney General Jeff Sessions today hoping to have an opportunity to engage in a productive dialogue about the role of federal immigration versus the role of local law enforcement.

The role of local public safety is clear -- codified in Oregon law and affirmed by the courts -- we are not a de facto arm of federal immigration. During today's discussion, Attorney General Sessions refused to acknowledge the 2014 federal court decision barring Oregon Sheriff's from holding adults in custody based solely on ICE detainers.

There are legal ways for federal, state, and local law enforcement to cooperate to help keep our communities safe and I support those efforts. These include holding offenders accountable on state and federal criminal matters.

I want to be clear, I fundamentally believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

As a result, established MCSO policies and practices remain in place. Our most important obligation is to maintain a trusting relationship with the community to keep everyone safe.

Thank you,

Michael Reese
SHERIFF

###

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office has continued to receive calls from concerned members of the community regarding a phone scam being used to elicit money and confidential personal information.

Community members are receiving calls from an individual who identifies as a Multnomah County Sheriff's Office employee and indicates that the victim has a warrant, unpaid court fines, or has missed jury duty, and needs to pay immediately or be arrested. Victims are being asked to provide sensitive personal information and credit card numbers to resolve the warrant and/or pay the fines.

We are reminding our community members that MCSO does not conduct matters concerning warrant service or payment of fines via phone.

If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a member of MCSO who is requesting money over the phone, you can help us by getting as much information as possible;
* Time and date of the call;
* Contact number of the person calling;
* Name used by the person calling; and
* Listen for anything that stands out that may assist detectives.

Immediately after hanging up the phone, please call the police non-emergency line at (503) 823-3333 and ask to speak with a deputy sheriff to file a report.

Please help us spread this message: If you, or someone you know, is contacted by a person claiming to be a member of MCSO and asking for money;
* DO NOT SEND MONEY;
* DO NOT PROVIDE PERSONAL INFORMATION; and,
* Contact (503) 823-3333 to be put in contact with a deputy sheriff to file a report.

###

A combination of successful firefighting efforts and recent rains has allowed fire crews to continue making progress on the fire lines along the west side of the Eagle Creek Fire.

Effective immediately, ALL evacuation orders in Multnomah County have been lifted.

Residents are reminded that with the recent fire and subsequent rains, the dangers of falling trees, rocks, debris flows, landslides and flooding is greatly increased in the Columbia River Gorge. If you see landslide activity where there is no immediate danger, please report it to (503) 823-3333. In the event of an emergency, please dial 911 immediately.

Access to the communities of Dodson, Warrendale, Bridal Veil, and Latourell is limited to residents only, as a result of road closures on both the Historic Columbia Highway and eastbound I-84. Residents in these communities should report to the Troutdale Police Community Center (234 SW Kendall Ct. Troutdale, OR) to receive instructions and permits to access closed roadways.

All United States Forest Service lands and Oregon State Parks in the Gorge remain closed at this time. Access to these areas continues to be prohibited. In addition, Larch Mountain Road is closed above Red Elder Drive and there is no access to Sherrard Point. MCSO would like to remind members of the public that anyone accessing closed areas may be subject to criminal investigation.

MCSO wishes to thank our community for their patience and resilience throughout this challenging event.

After consultation with fire officials, it has been determined that the west end of the Eagle Creek Fire lines have been secured to a point which allows additional changes to evacuation levels.

MCSO would like to acknowledge the dedicated work of fire crews who built these lines to protect our community.

As of 12:00 noon today, September 15, MCSO is downgrading all Level 3 evacuation orders to Level 2 evacuation orders.

Please understand that a Level 2 notice means you still need to be set to leave at any time, in the event the fire behavior changes.

All residents moving from a Level 3 evacuation to a Level 2 evacuation, are asked to visit the Re-Entry Center established at:

Corbett Community Church
34309 NE Mershon Road, Corbett OR


Please be sure to bring identification to receive credentials and instructions on returning to your neighborhood. The Center will be open Friday from noon to midnight, and Saturday from 8am to 12pm.

We'd like to remind all residents that only household pets should return with their owners, and that large livestock and horses remain out of these areas until evacuation orders are lifted.

Questions regarding evacuations in Multnomah County can be directed to 211.
You can find an interactive map of the evacuation areas at multco.us

If you are a resident of Hood River County, please continue to monitor updates from the Hood River County Sheriff's Office.

On behalf of Sheriff Mike Reese and the entire agency, thank you for your patience, and welcome home.

In consultation with fire officials, today it was determined that current fire conditions allow for changes in evacuation status in East Multnomah County. Below is a list of the new evacuation orders which will reduce evacuation levels in some neighborhoods. These will be in effect as of 12:00pm today:

Level 3 (Go!) evacuation orders are in effect in the areas of:
Dodson
Warrendale
Bridal Veil
East Historic Columbia River Highway: East of Alex Barr Road, addresses in the 43800 block and higher
Larch Mountain Road: East of Brower Road, addresses in the 45800 block and higher
All of Brower Road, including Toll Road
E Haines Road: addresses in the 43800 block and higher

Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation orders are in effect in the areas of:
Latourell
Larch Mountain Road: West of Brower Road, addresses in the 45700 block and lower, including Salzman Road and Alder Meadows Road
E Haines Road: addresses in the 43700 block and lower (towards Larch Mountain Road)
Corbett
Springdale
Troutdale: addresses East of the Sandy River

Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation notices have been lifted for all areas of Troutdale West of the Sandy River. There are no communities currently in a Level 1 evacuation.

** Residents downgraded from a Level 3 to a Level 2 evacuation order are asked to report to a Re-Entry Center located at Corbett Community Church, 34309 NE Mershon Road, Corbett OR 97019 with identification to receive credentials for re-entry. Because residents moving from a Level 3 to a Level 2 are still asked to Be Set, we are requesting that only household pets return with their owners, and that large livestock and horses remain out of these areas until evacuation orders are lifted.

The Sheriff's Office understands the importance of getting our residents back into their homes and neighborhoods as quickly as possible. Over the coming days, we will continue to work with fire officials to examine possible re-entry into additional portions of the remaining Level 3 communities. For those residents still under a Level 3 evacuation notice, thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

Questions regarding evacuations in Multnomah County can be directed to 211. If you are a resident of Hood River County, please continue to monitor updates from the Hood River County Sheriff's Office.

For access to the current evacuation map, please visit multco.us.

Foster Rd #2

On September 10th, 2017 the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) responded to a report of a single-vehicle, critical-injury crash in the 16500 block of SE Foster Rd. Upon arrival, MCSO deputies were informed that an adult male was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Initial information indicates that a 2007 Kia Rio was travelling westbound on SE Foster Rd. when it lost control, causing it to come to rest on its top. An adult female in the vehicle sustained minor injuries and was not transported.

SE Foster Rd is closed between SE 172nd Ave and SE Jenne Rd for the next few hours while the Multnomah County Vehicular Crimes Team continues the investigation. Excessive speed appears to be a contributing factor.

MCSO was assisted by the Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Police Department, Portland Fire and Rescue, Gresham Fire Department and American Medical Response.

Additional information will be released late morning or early afternoon.

Earlier this week, a major water leak at the Justice Center Building caused water to enter the elevator shaft that supports inmate visitation at the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC). Maintenance crews were unable to repair the electrical boards that control the elevator, and it will not be operational for several more days.

As a result, all inmate visitation, both professional and personal will be canceled for Saturday 09/09/17 and Sunday 09/10/17. Staff will be working on alternative solutions for conducting professional visits on 09/11/17.

Inmates who are in housing units where video visitation is currently available will still be able to receive kiosk visits during this closure. For more information on how to sign up for video visitation, please visit https://www.mcso.us/site/pdf/visitor_guide.pdf .

Inmate visitation at the Multnomah County Inverness Jail will not be affected by this closure.

MCSO is constantly assessing the situation surrounding the Eagle Creek Fire evacuations within our county. In collaboration with fire officials, we will determine when it is safe to start allowing residents to move back into certain locations.

Deputies, Search and Rescue members, and Citizen Patrol volunteers collected contact information from residents as they were being evacuated from Level 3 areas. We will utilize that information to communicate to residents when evacuation levels have been downgraded or lifted.

We recommend that community members take additional steps to ensure they receive any updates regarding changing evacuation levels:

Sign up for Public Alerts:
- Visit http://www.publicalerts.org/ to register to receive updates
- If you don't have access to the internet, you can call the Multnomah County Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) Helpline 24/7 to get signed up at 503-988-3646.

Register for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office FlashAlerts by entering your email address at https://www.flashalert.net/id/MCSO.

Monitor the following social media pages for up-to-date information:
- Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/multcoso/
- Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Twitter: https://twitter.com/MultCoSO

- Multnomah County Emergency Management Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MultcoEM/
- Multnomah County Emergency Management Twitter: https://twitter.com/MultCoEM

- Multnomah County Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MultCo/
- Multnomah County Twitter: https://twitter.com/MultCo

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as officials work diligently to ensure the safety of our community and residents. Additional information regarding safe re-entry procedures will be available as community members receive notice that they are permitted to return.

Current Evacuation Levels for Eagle Creek Fire as of 09/07/2017 10:30am
Evacuation levels remain unchanged. Please continue to monitor MCSO for any changes.

MCSO is in constant communication with fire officials to determine when it is safe for residents to return to their homes. As soon as it is deemed safe, the evacuation levels may be downgraded or lifted allowing residents to return to their homes.

Warrendale - Level 3 GO!
Dodson - Level 3 GO!
Larch Mountain- Level 3 GO!
Latourell- Level 3 GO!
Bridal Veil - Level 3 GO!
Corbett, East of the 38700 block of Columbia River Highway - Level 3 GO!
Corbett/Springdale, West of 38700 block of the Columbia River Highway to the Sandy River - Level 2 Be Set.
Troutdale, East of 257th, North of Stark, West of the Sandy River -- Level 1 Get Ready

Evacuation shelter is established at Mt. Hood Community College located at 3691 NE 17th Drive, Gresham OR.

Cunningham_Mug.jpg

MCSO deputies were alerted to a person who had received firefighter turnouts, and was not associated with a firefighting crew, that was an evacuation area. Deputies were able to identify the suspect as 23 year old Cody Cunningham of Troutdale, OR.

After a short search for Cunningham, deputies located him and took him into custody on charges of Theft by Deception and a Parole Violation. Cunningham was lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center.

Deputies are continuing to investigate this case.

MCSO in coordination Multnomah County Emergency Management will be conducting a 9am media briefing to discuss update in the ongoing Eagle Creek Fire at the Troutdale Police Community Center, 234 SW Kendall Ct. in Troutdale, OR.

Details specific to the fire and evacuations will be shared. Dr. Jennifer Vines will also be available to discuss air quality concerns.

Current Evacuation Levels for Eagle Creek Fire as of 09/06/2017 7:00am
Evacuation levels remain unchanged overnight. Please continue to monitor MCSO for any changes.

Warrendale - Level 3 GO!
Dodson - Level 3 GO!
Larch Mountain- Level 3 GO!
Latourell- Level 3 GO!
Bridal Veil - Level 3 GO!
Corbett, East of the 38700 block of Columbia River Highway - Level 3 GO!
Corbett/Springdale, West of 38700 block of the Columbia River Highway to the Sandy River - Level 2 Be Set.
Troutdale, East of 257th, North of Stark, West of the Sandy River -- Level 1 Get Ready

Evacuation shelter is established at Mt. Hood Community College located at 3691 NE 17th Drive, Gresham OR.

###

Correction regarding Level 3 West boundary:

As of 12:30pm, the current evacuation levels are as follows:
Warrendale - Level 3 GO!
Dodson - Level 3 GO!
Larch Mountain- Level 3 GO!
Latourell- Level 3 GO!
Bridal Veil - Level 3 GO!
Corbett, East of the 38700 block of Columbia River Highway - Level 3 GO!
Corbett/Springdale, West of 38700 block of the Columbia River Highway to the Sandy River - Level 2 Be Set.
Troutdale, East of 257th and North of Stark, West of the Sandy River -- Level 1 Get Ready

As of 12:30pm, the current evacuation levels are as follows:
Warrendale - Level 3 GO!
Dodson - Level 3 GO!
Larch Mountain- Level 3 GO!
Latourell- Level 3 GO!
Bridal Veil - Level 3 GO!
Corbett, East of Evans Road - Level 3 GO!
Corbett/Springdale, West of Evans Road to the Sandy River - Level 2 Be Set.
Troutdale, East of 257th and North of Stark, West of the Sandy River -- Level 1 Get Ready

Evacuation shelter is established at Mt. Hood Community College located at 3691 NE 17th Drive, Gresham OR.

Level 3 evacuations have impacted approximately 400 residences.

MCSO, and other first responders, have encountered curious onlookers throughout East County. While we can appreciate the uniqueness of this event, their presence significantly hinders rescue operations. Please DO NOT drive into impacted areas. Your presence not only endangers your safety, but also the safety of first responders tasked with preserving life and property.

We have received countless calls from community members asking how to help the situation surrounding the Eagle Creek Fire. As this is a dynamic situation, we are working to assess the needs of the community. We will release specific information as to how community members can assist and actions you can take as they become available.

If you feel an immediate need to assist, please consider donating to the American Red Cross/Red Cross Cascades Region who is managing the evacuation shelter at Mt. Hood Community College.

Please do not deliver any supplies to the Sheriff's Office, or any other first responder staging location at this time.

###

As of 10:00am, there have been no changes to evacuation levels from the Eagle Creek Fire. The following levels continue to be in effect:
Warrendale - Level 3 GO!
Dodson - Level 3 GO!
Larch Mountain- Level 3 GO!
Latourell- Level 3 GO!
Bridal Veil - Level 3 GO!
East Corbett - Level 3 GO!
Corbett - Level 2 Be Set.
Springdale- Level 2 Be Set.

Evacuation shelter is established at Mt. Hood Community College located at 3691 NE 17th Drive, Gresham OR.

###

Updated list of Eagle Creek Fire evacuations as of 7:00am Tuesday 9/5:

Warrendale - Level 3 GO!
Dodson - Level 3 GO!
Larch Mountain- Level 3 GO!
Latourell- Level 3 GO!
Bridal Veil - Level 3 GO!
East Corbett - Level 3 GO!
Corbett - Level 2 Be Set.
Springdale- Level 2 Be Set.

Evacuation shelter is established at Mt. Hood Community College located at 3691 NE 17th Drive, Gresham OR.

Several agencies affected by the Eagle Creek Fire have established a Joint Information Center at 234 SW Kendall Court in Troutdale at the Troutdale Police Department. A PIO from the Eagle Creek Fire will be available to answer media questions.

For Fire Information call:
541-392-1632


###

On 09/05/2017 at 4:30 am, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office will coordinate a press briefing regarding the Eagle Creek Fire. The briefing will take place at the Troutdale Police Community Center at 234 SW Kendall Ct in Troutdale, OR. The briefing will include information provided by MCSO, ODOT, and local fire resources.

Those evacuating as a result of the Eagle Creek Fire should report to the shelter located at the Mt. Hood Community College gymnasium, 3691 NE 17th Drive, Gresham, OR 97030.

===============================================================================================

At this time the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office has issued the following evacuations for communities in East Multnomah County as a result of the Eagle Creek Fire:

Warrendale - Level 3 GO!
Dodson - Level 3 GO!
Larch Mountain - Level 3 GO!
Latourell - Level 2 Be Set.
Bridal Veil - Level 2 Be Set.
East Corbett (Larch Mtn Rd and East) - Level 3 GO!
Corbett - Level 1 Get Ready

Updates will be provided as they are updated or available via social media.

###MCSO###

Level 1 evacuations continue to remain in place for the communities of Bonneville, Dodson, and Warrendale. Door to door notifications were made last night in each of these areas.

In the event elevated evacuation notices are necessary, deputies and Search and Rescue volunteers will make additional door to door notifications.

Information regarding reception centers and shelters can be found at;

https://multco.us/communications/news/reception-center-open-troutdale-communities-fleeing-fire

Smoke from the fire has reduced air quality, information regarding air quality safety can be found at;

https://multco.us/multnomah-county/news/smoky-conditions-and-high-heat-affect-northern-willamette-valley-air-quality .

MCSO would like to remind everyone that areas in the Columbia River Gorge that are marked closed, are closed to all users and activities.

We recognize that the gorge is a beautiful recreation area, and many people may have had plans to visit the area over the holiday weekend. Given the unpredictable nature of the growing Eagle Creek Fire, we are asking visitors to the area to consider making alternative arrangements to visit one of other many visitor destinations in the area.


###MCSO###


===============================================================================================

In response to the growing Eagle Creek Fire, at 7:30pm this evening, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office deputies and Search and Rescue volunteers delivered Level 1 Evacuation notices to residents living in Bonneville, Dodson and Warrendale.

Level 1 evacuations notifications are the lowest level of evacuation, and requests that people in these areas prepare for evacuation by gathering valuables, identification such as birth certificates and passports, medications, and any other items considered essential.

Pets and their food and medications should also be kept close in the event an evacuation is ordered. Livestock may take longer to evacuate in an emergency, and people are encouraged to begin making arrangements for transportation of livestock in the event the fire worsens.

Below you will find the information on the 3 different levels of evacuation.

LEVELS OF EVACUATION

Level 1 = GET READY: pack your valuables including important documents (passports, birth certificates, insurance information, medications, medical equipment, and animals)

Level 2 = BE SET: Monitor the news reports. Follow Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and Multnomah County Emergency Management's social media pages, or local tv and radio news outlets.

Level 3 = GO: Evacuate - information will be provided regarding where you can go to get information, resources, and support.

* People needing additional assistance or time to evacuate should begin evacuating at a level 1 or 2 evacuation. This includes assisted living centers, people with disabilities, people needing help with small children, people with medical conditions, et cetera.


Reception Center: Chapel Church
27132 SE Stark Street
Troutdale, OR 90760
Hours of operation on September 4, 2017 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Hours of operations on September 5, 2017 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Shelter: 710 SW Rock Creek Dr
Stevenson, WA 98648
Shelter questions only Red Cross Duty Officer 1 888 680 1455
Companion animals (pets) co-located

WHERE TO GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

* During normal business hours: 503 988 3646 - Aging and Disability Resource Center (online as well at adrc@multco.us)

* After hours: 211 (online as well at 211info.org)


Attached is the evacuation notice provided to residents this evening, which includes details on preparing for an evacuation.

###MCSO###

Communities within Multnomah County continue to see increased levels of gun violence, including contract cities where the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) provides law enforcement services to East County. The tragic intersection of domestic violence and gun possession has led to too many victims in Multnomah County. The effects of gun violence are devastating to not only these victims, but their families and our community as well.

Sheriff Mike Reese noted, "One of my top priorities is reducing gun violence in our community. Elected officials and community members have called for more resources to end gun violence, and I am committed to finding new and innovative ways to keep guns out of the hands of those who might use them to harm themselves or others."

MCSO is focused on finding solutions to removing illegally-owned firearms from our community. Through effective prevention, education, and interdiction efforts we are working to keep Multnomah County safe from gun violence.
State law requires background checks be conducted for every firearm purchase. Of the over 300,000 transactions processed annually in Oregon, less than 1% are denied due to a person's background.

In Multnomah County there are over 20,000 firearms transactions annually, with approximately 200 that are denied. Yet, there is work to be done to manage purchasing attempts from prohibited persons, namely convicted felons, court-ordered domestic abusers and persons adjudicated mentally ill.

The Oregon State Police (OSP) Firearms Instant Check System (FICS) Program holds the sole authority to determine if a firearm can be lawfully transferred between parties. Given limited resources and the many public safety demands on our State Police, it is up to peace officers in jurisdictions across the state to determine if a crime has been committed after a firearms transfer denial, to take appropriate criminal enforcement action, and submit a case to the respective District Attorney's Office for prosecution.

"The Oregon State Police is pleased to strengthen our public safety commitment within Multnomah County, specifically relating to the law enforcement response on firearm transaction denials. While the percentage of purchase denials are relatively small, the public has an expectation law enforcement will supply quick and efficient investigations of prohibited persons attempting to obtain firearms. This cooperative investigative response will shorten response times by officers, increasing accountability for offenders and mitigating disruptions for lawful firearm dealers." Said, Travis Hampton, Oregon State Police Superintendent.

MCSO considers transfer denials a shared responsibility and an opportunity for better intergovernmental coordination, to leverage resources and keep our communities safe from violent crime. We have seen over 10 local jurisdictions successfully apprehend illegal gun owners through call response and trace investigation of firearms. It is time for our major metropolitan area to follow suit and close the gap between what the law directs public safety to do and our practice.

Over the course of this summer, MCSO, together with the Portland Police Bureau and the Gresham Police Department, trained with OSP to conduct appropriate denial investigations. In September, OSP will dispatch firearm transfer denials through the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) to our local law enforcement members.

In turn, our collective members will work with FICS to vet information and complete criminal investigations. MCSO would like to recognize OSP, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, and our law enforcement partners at both Portland and Gresham Police for this leadership effort - coordinated training and practice supports Oregon's system of accountability and furthers our shared public safety mission.

Earlier this week, I was approached by the office of a county commissioner regarding an altered United States Flag, known as the Thin Blue Line Flag, on display in the county courthouse.

For some, it is a symbol honoring fallen law enforcement officers. For others, the flag is seen as a sign of disrespect toward communities of color.

As public safety officers, we have a tremendous responsibility to the communities we serve and to each other. I support honoring our fallen officers in a way that respects the sacrifice they made and the communities they served.

Along with that, organizational esprit de corps and respect for one another must be preserved in order to work together as a team in service to our community.

As a 27-year law enforcement officer, I strongly support our public safety officers and speak often of their courage, integrity and commitment to service. I am keenly aware that they put their lives in harm's way each and every day to protect those who live in and visit Multnomah County.

The community concerns raised, led me to ask that the flag be removed while we consider whether or not it is appropriate to display any altered United States Flag inside a County-owned facility.

During a meeting with staff earlier today, I ask them to work with me to resolve these issues by determining how and where to display the flag in a manner that will honor fallen law enforcement officers and also meet the expectations of our community.

Sheriff Michael Reese