Benton Co. Sheriff's Office
Emergency Messages as of 1:18 am, Tue., February 09, 2010
No information currently posted; operating as usual.
Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from Benton Co. Sheriff's Office
And/or follow our FlashAlerts via TwitterAbout FlashAlert on Twitter:
FlashAlert utilizes the free service Twitter to distribute emergency text messages. While you are welcome to register your cell phone text message address directly into the FlashAlert system, we recommend that you simply "follow" the FlashAlert account for Benton Co. Sheriff's Office by clicking on the link below and logging in to (or creating) your free Twitter account. Twitter sends messages out exceptionally fast thanks to arrangements they have made with the cell phone companies.
Click here to add Benton Co. Sheriff's Office to your Twitter account or create one.
News Releases
Benton County Sheriff's Office participating in Seatbelt Blitz - 02/04/10
The Benton County Sheriff's Office is partnering with law enforcement agencies across the state for a Three Flags Seatbelt Blitz. The blitz will begin on Monday, February 8th, and end Sunday, February 21. Deputies will be working special overtime, federally funded, and administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation through the Oregon State Sheriff's Association. Deputies will be focusing on enforcing various traffic violations that will include, but are not limited to: seatbelt usage, proper booster seat for children, speeding, etc. According to the US Department of Transpiration, consistent safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.
Lack of belt use was a major factor in half of all Oregon motor vehicle occupant deaths in 2008. One in three children under the age eight killed or injured in crashes were using adult belt systems (231 children) or were totally unrestrained (16 children) rather than riding in child seats appropriate for their size. Speeding and driver impairment were the other most common causes of injury crashes.
The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $142.
CHANGES TO CHILD RESTRAINT LAW (effective 7/1/07):
A child weighing less than 40 pounds must be restrained in a child safety seat. A child under one year of age or weighing less than twenty pounds must be restrained in a rear-facing child seat. A child over forty pounds, but under age eight, or less that 4'9" tall must be restrained in a booster seat that elevates them so the lap/shoulder belts fit correctly. For help with child safety seats, refer to the seat manufacturer's instructions, vehicle owner's manual or call ACTS Oregon Child Safety Seat Resource Center at 1-800-772-1315
The Benton County Sheriff's Office is partnering with law enforcement agencies across the state for a Three Flags Seatbelt Blitz. The blitz will begin on Monday, February 8th, and end Sunday, February 21. Deputies will be working special overtime, federally funded, and administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation through the Oregon State Sheriff's Association. Deputies will be focusing on enforcing various traffic violations that will include, but are not limited to: seatbelt usage, proper booster seat for children, speeding, etc. According to the US Department of Transpiration, consistent safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.
Lack of belt use was a major factor in half of all Oregon motor vehicle occupant deaths in 2008. One in three children under the age eight killed or injured in crashes were using adult belt systems (231 children) or were totally unrestrained (16 children) rather than riding in child seats appropriate for their size. Speeding and driver impairment were the other most common causes of injury crashes.
The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $142.
CHANGES TO CHILD RESTRAINT LAW (effective 7/1/07):
A child weighing less than 40 pounds must be restrained in a child safety seat. A child under one year of age or weighing less than twenty pounds must be restrained in a rear-facing child seat. A child over forty pounds, but under age eight, or less that 4'9" tall must be restrained in a booster seat that elevates them so the lap/shoulder belts fit correctly. For help with child safety seats, refer to the seat manufacturer's instructions, vehicle owner's manual or call ACTS Oregon Child Safety Seat Resource Center at 1-800-772-1315
Benton County Sheriff's Office participating in DUII enforcement on Super Bowl Sunday. - 02/04/10
The Benton County Sheriff's Office is partnering with law enforcement agencies across the state and country for a DUII saturation patrol on Sunday, February 7th, for the Super Bowl. Some of the patrol deputies will be working special overtime, paid for through a grant from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and distributed through the Oregon State Sheriff's Association.
In 2007 alone, nearly 13,000 people died in crashes in which the drivers or motorcycle riders were legally impaired, according to the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Among them were 245 children under age 15 — innocent victims of crashes that could have been avoided. Also, 32 percent of fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 g/dL or above — an average of one fatality every 40 minutes.
For more information on the crackdown, visit the High-Visibility Enforcement Campaign Headquarters at www.StopImpairedDriving.org.
The Benton County Sheriff's Office is partnering with law enforcement agencies across the state and country for a DUII saturation patrol on Sunday, February 7th, for the Super Bowl. Some of the patrol deputies will be working special overtime, paid for through a grant from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and distributed through the Oregon State Sheriff's Association.
In 2007 alone, nearly 13,000 people died in crashes in which the drivers or motorcycle riders were legally impaired, according to the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Among them were 245 children under age 15 — innocent victims of crashes that could have been avoided. Also, 32 percent of fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 g/dL or above — an average of one fatality every 40 minutes.
For more information on the crackdown, visit the High-Visibility Enforcement Campaign Headquarters at www.StopImpairedDriving.org.
Sheriff's Office resumes 24/7 Patrol Coverage - 01/20/10
The Benton County Sheriff's Office began around the clock patrol coverage throughout the county in December 2009. Following nearly two years of recruitments and training, the Law Enforcement Division of the Sheriff's Office was able to integrate a modified graveyard schedule in early 2009, and then transitioned to full time coverage of county patrol in December 2009.
Shortly after being sworn into office in 2007, Sheriff Diana Simpson announced that due to budget problems related to the loss of federal timber revenue, there was not enough money or resources to continue with the full time patrol coverage. With retirements and deputies leaving to work for other agencies, there was no need to lay off any personnel at the time. With the successful passage of the operational levy in November 2007, the Sheriff's Office was able to reinstate eight lost patrol deputy positions. Recruitments began immediately, but it can take about one year to recruit, hire, and train a patrol deputy before they are ready to work in a solo capacity.
As of December 31, 2009, the Sheriff's Office had nine new deputies on solo patrol assignments with two more vacancies waiting to be filled. The nine new deputies represent 30% of the Law Enforcement Division of the Sheriff's Office.
Following the announcement that beginning April 1, 2007 the Sheriff's Office would only provide patrol coverage 20 hours each day, a protocol was implemented that provided for deputies to respond during the remaining four hours whenever a significant property crime or person to person crime was occurring. Deputies were called out infrequently during the nearly 2 and 1/2 year time period and there was never a significant enough event that required additional deputies or action.
"Making the decision to reduce patrol coverage from 24 hours to 20 hours a day was one of the most difficult decisions I have made as Sheriff. I received a lot of criticism for informing the public when our hours of coverage would be. Nevertheless, I wanted residents to be proactive in making themselves and residences safer and more secure as well as understanding why there may be some delay in responding to a request for service" explained Sheriff Simpson.
During 2009 with the additional deputies either solo or with training coaches, the Sheriff's Office has seen a decrease in burglaries and an increase in DUII arrests. Traffic citations have also increased and traffic fatalities in Benton County have decreased. "We are pleased to see an immediate change in our statistics related to the additional deputies," said Sheriff Simpson. "And we look forward to continuing to provide professional and honorable service to our residents."
The Benton County Sheriff's Office began around the clock patrol coverage throughout the county in December 2009. Following nearly two years of recruitments and training, the Law Enforcement Division of the Sheriff's Office was able to integrate a modified graveyard schedule in early 2009, and then transitioned to full time coverage of county patrol in December 2009.
Shortly after being sworn into office in 2007, Sheriff Diana Simpson announced that due to budget problems related to the loss of federal timber revenue, there was not enough money or resources to continue with the full time patrol coverage. With retirements and deputies leaving to work for other agencies, there was no need to lay off any personnel at the time. With the successful passage of the operational levy in November 2007, the Sheriff's Office was able to reinstate eight lost patrol deputy positions. Recruitments began immediately, but it can take about one year to recruit, hire, and train a patrol deputy before they are ready to work in a solo capacity.
As of December 31, 2009, the Sheriff's Office had nine new deputies on solo patrol assignments with two more vacancies waiting to be filled. The nine new deputies represent 30% of the Law Enforcement Division of the Sheriff's Office.
Following the announcement that beginning April 1, 2007 the Sheriff's Office would only provide patrol coverage 20 hours each day, a protocol was implemented that provided for deputies to respond during the remaining four hours whenever a significant property crime or person to person crime was occurring. Deputies were called out infrequently during the nearly 2 and 1/2 year time period and there was never a significant enough event that required additional deputies or action.
"Making the decision to reduce patrol coverage from 24 hours to 20 hours a day was one of the most difficult decisions I have made as Sheriff. I received a lot of criticism for informing the public when our hours of coverage would be. Nevertheless, I wanted residents to be proactive in making themselves and residences safer and more secure as well as understanding why there may be some delay in responding to a request for service" explained Sheriff Simpson.
During 2009 with the additional deputies either solo or with training coaches, the Sheriff's Office has seen a decrease in burglaries and an increase in DUII arrests. Traffic citations have also increased and traffic fatalities in Benton County have decreased. "We are pleased to see an immediate change in our statistics related to the additional deputies," said Sheriff Simpson. "And we look forward to continuing to provide professional and honorable service to our residents."
Plane crashes west of Philomath - update - 01/18/10
Identifications of the victims of the plane crash that occurred in Benton County Sunday January 17th have been released. The pilot has been identified as Vernon Ray Bentley, age 52, from Blodgett, Oregon. The passenger has been identified as David Sherwood Pitkin, age 59, from Bandon, Oregon. Mr. Bentley was employed with the Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service and Mr. Pitkin was a contract employee working with Mr. Bentley.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash. The exact location of the plane crash is not being disclosed at this time pending the investigation by federal authorities.
Approximately 50 individuals from the Benton County Sheriff's Office assisted in the search. This included Search and Rescue volunteers as well as law enforcement deputies.
For additional information regarding the Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, please contact David Patte at (503) 227-4785 or (503) 720-1679.
BACKGROUND: On Sunday, January 17th at approximately 8:00 p.m. Benton County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue personnel and law enforcement deputies were dispatched to search for a missing plane. The 911 dispatch center received information that a pilot had filed a flight plan indicating the plane should be arriving in Corvallis at about 4:00 p.m. However, when the airplane did not arrive, dispatch was notified and search teams dispatched.
At about 2:00 a.m. Monday morning, a REACH helicopter from Corvallis was able to fly the route indicated in the flight plan and was able to locate a signal from the beacon located on the airplane. That location was narrowed to an area west of Philomath. Search and Rescue personnel as well as law enforcement deputies continued to search the area, finally locating the wreckage of the plane about 8:30 a.m. this morning. Both the pilot and a passenger were found deceased at the scene.
The plane, a Cessna fixed wing single engine, is registered to the Department of the Interior in Boise, Idaho.
END
Identifications of the victims of the plane crash that occurred in Benton County Sunday January 17th have been released. The pilot has been identified as Vernon Ray Bentley, age 52, from Blodgett, Oregon. The passenger has been identified as David Sherwood Pitkin, age 59, from Bandon, Oregon. Mr. Bentley was employed with the Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service and Mr. Pitkin was a contract employee working with Mr. Bentley.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash. The exact location of the plane crash is not being disclosed at this time pending the investigation by federal authorities.
Approximately 50 individuals from the Benton County Sheriff's Office assisted in the search. This included Search and Rescue volunteers as well as law enforcement deputies.
For additional information regarding the Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, please contact David Patte at (503) 227-4785 or (503) 720-1679.
BACKGROUND: On Sunday, January 17th at approximately 8:00 p.m. Benton County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue personnel and law enforcement deputies were dispatched to search for a missing plane. The 911 dispatch center received information that a pilot had filed a flight plan indicating the plane should be arriving in Corvallis at about 4:00 p.m. However, when the airplane did not arrive, dispatch was notified and search teams dispatched.
At about 2:00 a.m. Monday morning, a REACH helicopter from Corvallis was able to fly the route indicated in the flight plan and was able to locate a signal from the beacon located on the airplane. That location was narrowed to an area west of Philomath. Search and Rescue personnel as well as law enforcement deputies continued to search the area, finally locating the wreckage of the plane about 8:30 a.m. this morning. Both the pilot and a passenger were found deceased at the scene.
The plane, a Cessna fixed wing single engine, is registered to the Department of the Interior in Boise, Idaho.
END
Plane crashes west of Philomath - 01/18/10
On Sunday, January 17th at approximately 8:00 p.m. Benton County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue personnel and law enforcement deputies were dispatched to search for a missing plane. Corvallis airport officials reported that a pilot had filed a flight plan that indicated the plane should be arriving in Corvallis at about 4:00 p.m. When the airplane did not arrive, dispatch was notified and search teams dispatched.
At about 2:00 a.m. Monday morning, REACH helicopter was able to fly the route indicated in the flight plan and was able to locate a signal from the beacon located on the airplane. That location was narrowed to an area west of Philomath. Search and Rescue personnel as well as law enforcement deputies continued to search the area, finally locating the wreckage of the plane about 8:30 a.m. this morning. Both the pilot and a passenger were found deceased at the scene. Names of the victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The plane, a Cessna fixed wing single engine, is registered to the Department of the Interior in Boise, Idaho.
On Sunday, January 17th at approximately 8:00 p.m. Benton County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue personnel and law enforcement deputies were dispatched to search for a missing plane. Corvallis airport officials reported that a pilot had filed a flight plan that indicated the plane should be arriving in Corvallis at about 4:00 p.m. When the airplane did not arrive, dispatch was notified and search teams dispatched.
At about 2:00 a.m. Monday morning, REACH helicopter was able to fly the route indicated in the flight plan and was able to locate a signal from the beacon located on the airplane. That location was narrowed to an area west of Philomath. Search and Rescue personnel as well as law enforcement deputies continued to search the area, finally locating the wreckage of the plane about 8:30 a.m. this morning. Both the pilot and a passenger were found deceased at the scene. Names of the victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The plane, a Cessna fixed wing single engine, is registered to the Department of the Interior in Boise, Idaho.