05.20.25 - 2025 – 2028 STRATEGIC PLAN (Photo) -05/20/25

5/20/2025 – Lincoln County, Or
 

To help meet changing community needs, our office establishes a new strategic plan every four years. This process is one way we continue to find ways to improve and grow with our communities. Although each plan may look a little different, we remain committed to our mission to enhance public safety, reduce the fear and impact of crime, and improve quality of life. 

 

Considering our communities’ dynamic and varying needs, three overarching areas rose to the top: team growth and development, organizational excellence and customer service, and community safety and collaboration.

 

The three goals in this plan are:

• Enhance team safety, growth, and retention by creating a safer, more engaging and wellness-focused environment.
• Foster organizational excellence, earn and maintain public trust, and deliver outstanding service through continuous improvement, transparency, and  prioritizing community needs.
• Enhance community safety and improve quality of life for residents and visitors through proactive law enforcement, collaboration, and innovative solutions.

Our team takes serving our community seriously. We will work tirelessly to meet community expectations and achieve our mission, while using this strategic plan as a roadmap for the next 4 years. Together we can continue to build a safer, pro-active community where all are treated with respect.

 

View the full strategic plan here: www.co.lincoln.or.us/DocumentCenter/View/4940/STRATEGIC-PLAN-2025---2028---Final?bidId=
 

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Tip Of The Week For The Week Of May 19, 2025 - Outdoor Grilling (Photo) -05/15/25

OUTDOOR GRILLING SAFETY 
 

Grilling season is here and there's nothing like grilling outdoors on nice day. A BBQ or grilling party can be the perfect way to celebrate or bring the neighborhood together. There are many different types of grills and some unique tips for each. For your next cookout, use these tips from the National Fire Protection Association.

 

• Propane and charcoal grills should ONLY be used outdoors. They should be placed well away from the home, deck railings, and overhanging tree branches.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area. This helps prevent grills from being knocked over and helps prevent burns and other injuries.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grill and trays below the grill.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
• Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using your grill each year. You can do this by applying a light soap and water solution to the outside of the hose. If there is a leak, the gas will cause it to release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, turn off the grill. If the leak does not stop, get it serviced by a professional before using it again.
• If you smell gas while you're cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do NOT move the grill.
• If you use starter fluid with your charcoal grill, use only charcoal starter fluid; always keep it out of the reach of children and pets and keep it away from heat sources.
• When you are finished grilling, let the charcoals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container. Do not put hot coals in your garbage bin or another container. This can start a fire.
• Most importantly: NEVER leave your grill unattended.

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

 

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Tip Of The Week For May 12, 2025 - Hiking Safety (Photo) -05/08/25

HIKING SAFETY   
 

Part of the beauty of Oregon is the hiking opportunities throughout the state. Hiking can be a fun and healthy activity for the whole family. But without proper planning, even a short hike could turn into a dangerous situation. In 2024 our Search and Rescue Team responded to 10 reports of missing or lost individuals that needed specialized assistance. Before you hit the trails, remember these hiking safety tips.

 

1. Make a Gear List

Whether you're hiking for three hours or three days, you don't want to forget something important. Create a gear list to make sure you have everything you need. Some items to include are:

• Water

• Water filtration such as a filter straw or a filtration waterbottle

• Rain gear and additional climate-appropriate clothing

• Compass

• Map

• Extra food

• First aid supplies

• Cell phone or radio with backup batteries

2. Bring a Map

Bringing a map and becoming familiar with the area before you hike is so important. You should never rely solely on GPS technology especially with limited service and battery power. Always pack a map and make sure you know how to read it before you need it.

 

3. Hike During the Day

Whenever possible, plan to hike during the day. It is easier to get lost in the dark and the area may be home to wild animals that are active at night.

 

4. Know the Area

Exploring new hiking trails can be exciting. Unfortunately, it also means you're unfamiliar with the territory. Before heading out, check regional hiking information for:

• Local wild animals and what to do if you encounter them

• Local poisonous plants

• Local hunting areas and seasons

• Trail closures or advisories

• Local emergency alerts

• Local weather

5. Check the Forecast

Check the forecast while planning your hike and keep checking it until you leave. This helps determine what gear you need to bring and greatly impacts your safety. Hiking in hotter or colder weather have different challenges that impact your trip and your health. If the forecast does predict rain, snow, or ice, be sure the trail you're taking is passable in these conditions. Consider contacting your local Parks and Recreation Department so they can direct you to real-time information. When in doubt, reschedule your hike for better weather.

 

6. Be Confident Not Cocky

You know what you can and can't handle. When hiking in a group or with a more advanced friend, you may take risks you aren't ready for. Don't risk injury; be honest with your skill level before hitting the trail.

 

7. Tell Someone Before You Go

Tell someone when and where you are going and when they should expect you to be back. If that person doesn't hear from you by a certain time, they can take the necessary action to begin a search. With Search and Rescue missions, time matters. If you don’t make it home on time, having a friend that can report your planned hiking activity and timeline can help searchers locate you.

 

8. Stay Together

When hiking with a large group, it's easy to separate into groups of fast and slow hikers. Often, this happens naturally, but it isn't always safe. Keep someone at the front that hikes at a modest pace to ensure everyone stays together.

 

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

 

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Quarterly Coffee With A Deputy - 5/19/25 In Depoe Bay (Photo) -05/07/25

QUARTERLY COFFEE WITH A DEPUTY – DEPOE BAY
 

The next Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy event with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is just around the corner. Join us on Monday, May 19, 2025, from 8:30am – 10am for a cup of coffee and a conversation at Pirate Coffee Company (located at 10 Vista St., Depoe Bay, Or 97341).
 

More about these quarterly events:
Every three months our office partners with a local coffee shop in Lincoln County to provide a time, space, and coffee for community members to meet our team and share what’s on their minds. Coffee with a cop events are a friendly and relaxed way for our communities to connect with the deputies that serve them.
 

These events offer a unique opportunity for community members to directly engage with law enforcement, ask questions, voice concerns, and build positive relationships. Whether you're a regular coffee drinker or simply curious about the work of law enforcement, this is a chance to connect with our team on a personal level, learn about each other’s experiences, and share local feedback.
 

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Tip Of The Week For The Week Of May 5, 2025 - Pet Licensing (Photo) -05/01/25

PET LICENSING   
 

Pet ownership comes with many responsibilities to keep you, your pet, and your community safe. Lincoln County requires all dogs hold a valid license pursuant to ORS 609.100. Cat licenses are optional but are encouraged because they can help reunite you with your cat if they are lost. 

 

In addition to being required by law, licensing your dog can save their life and speed up the process of returning them to you. One of Lincoln County Animal Shelter’s goals is to be able to reunite all lost pets with their families. In 2024, our animal shelter helped 171 lost pets reunite with their families. Having a licensed pet can help speed up the process of being reunited when your pet is lost.

 

If happy reunions are not enough motivation, failure to obtain a dog license can result in a $265 fine. All dogs in the county are required to be licensed within thirty days of residence. This is a requirement regardless of where you live in Lincoln County and whether your dog leaves your property or not. While cat licenses are not required, they help can reunite families with their feline friends.

 

You may easily purchase or renew a license by mail, over the phone, at the Animal Shelter, or online. Applications and additional information are available online at: www.co.lincoln.or.us/695/Pet-Licensing.

 

Why licensing is important:

• License tags allow us to contact you as soon as possible. This provides peace of mind, leaves space at the shelter for other animals in need, and saves tax-payer money.

• License fees support shelter programs and operations which provide over 1,000 animals with food, veterinary care, shelter, training, behavior enrichment, and adoption services each year.

• License fees support field services and investigations which address loose pets, aggressive dogs, and bite reports.

• License fees allow Animal Services to investigate, seize, and care for animals who are victims of cruelty and neglect.

• License fees support our pet retention programs which help people keep their pets.

• If your animal is found injured and wearing its license, it is much easier for us to obtain emergency medical attention for them and to contact you with the details.

• Identification is critically important for your pet in the event of a disaster.

• If your dog is impounded, current on their license, and spayed or neutered, the first $30 impound fee is waived.

• License fees are an important way the community supports our policy of not euthanizing for time or space. These fees also support finding new homes for as many animals as possible.

Please keep your pets safe with a license, ID tag, and microchip. Remember to search for your lost pet at the Lincoln County Animal Shelter at 510 NE Harney St. in Newport and by calling 541-265-0720. You can help reunite lost pets by following the Animal Shelter’s Facebook page at LincolnCountyLostandFoundPets.
 

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

 

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Tip Of The Week For The Week Of April 28, 2025 - Wildfire Preparedness (Photo) -04/24/25

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS    
 

Oregon had a record breaking 1.9 million acres burned by wildfire in 2024. That was the most acreage burned in 30 years and 18 times as much acreage as in 2023. The current year started with destructive fires in California and has continued in several areas of the country with nearly 823,000 acres burned so far.

 

May is a great time to learn about wildfires and prepare your home before the surrounding land dries out. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Have a Plan. Develop an emergency plan using this evacuation checklist as a guide. Include a communications plan with your family and friends and at least one person out of the area.

2. Know about evacuation levels and sign up for emergency alerts at oralert.gov.

3. Clear a defensible space around your home. Start with 5 feet around your home, then work your way up to a 30-foot distance. This is a buffer-zone that can protect your home in case a wildfire is coming. 

4. Use safe backyard burning practices. Escaped debris burning is the leading cause of human-caused wildfires in Oregon. 

5. Use care with power equipment. Do yard clean up in the spring, not in the summer. Equipment fire is usually the second leading cause of human-caused wildfire.  

6. Check your home address marker – can you see it from the street? If not, trim overgrown vegetation or move the marker so first responders can find you if they need to. 

7. Build a 72-hour kit for your family and pets. Get tips at www.ready.gov/kit . 

8. Document your possessions and store this digitally or away from your home. A video can work for this. 

9. Prepare financially for a disaster. The Division of Financial Regulation has information on insurance and other financial considerations

10. For more wildfire prevention tips, visit www.keeporegongreen.org

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

 

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Update To 4/23/25, 8:12pm Community Advisory: NO Active Threat, No Further Law Enforcement Activity In The Area. -04/24/25

Community Advisory: Ongoing Law Enforcement Activity - NO Active Threat -04/23/25