Pedestrian Safety Education Enforcement Results -06/02/25

Incident: Pedestrian Safety Education Enforcement Results

Location: Newport  

Date/Time: 06/02/2025 @ 9:00 am

Details: On Thursday, May 29, 2025, the Newport Police Department conducted its first Pedestrian Safety Education Enforcement operation in over 10 years. As the summer months approach, we anticipate an increase in visitors to our city, as well as increased pedestrian traffic. As such, the goal of the operation was to educate drivers of the importance of pedestrian safety, especially while they’re in crosswalks. As a reminder, all intersections in Oregon are crosswalks, whether they’re marked or not.

In 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 7300 pedestrians were killed, and they estimate over 68,000 pedestrians were injured across the US. Newport is not immune to these statistics.

During the operation our “pedestrian” made 48 passes across Highway 101 in 1.5 hours, and we’re pleased to report that only 4 vehicles failed to stop or remain stopped for the pedestrian. With driver education as the goal of the operation, all drivers who were stopped were given written warnings and a pamphlet regarding Oregon crosswalk laws.

In addition to the 4 vehicles that were stopped, 1 pedestrian was also stopped after the pedestrian was observed running across traffic, mid-block. It is unlawful for pedestrians to cross mid-block, and the pedestrian was given a written warning for Fail to Yield to a Vehicle (ORS 814.040). 

Questions about the process we used while conducting this education enforcement operation have been asked, specifically why we gave advance notice and why we used traffic cones. We used the Oregon Department of Transportation as well as Oregon Impact guidelines to safely conduct the operation, with the primary goal being safety for pedestrians, drivers, and officers. 

The traffic cones were used to mark a safe stopping distance, which was calculated by assuming a car is traveling 10 mph over the posted speed limit and adding a 2-second reaction time. Thus, ample time is allowed for the driver to see the pedestrian and come to a complete stop, well before the crosswalk. Using this calculation for the 25-mph zone the operation was being conducted, cones were placed at 161 feet before a vehicle entered the crosswalk. During the operation the pedestrian did not attempt to step into the crosswalk if there was a vehicle within the safety zone, providing each driver the opportunity to recognize there was a pedestrian, react to the pedestrian, and come to a complete and safe stop before entering the crosswalk. As for the advanced notification, we want everyone to be thinking about pedestrian safety, and the longer we can advertise the event, the more drivers it reaches.

Information Released By: Sgt Leake, 541-574-3348

Arrest Made In Child Pornography Investigation -05/21/25

On Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, the Newport Police Department, with the assistance of the Lincoln City Police Department, served a search warrant at a trailer located in the Harbor Village Trailer Park in Newport. The warrant was the result of a long-term investigation into the downloading and sharing of Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM), more commonly referred to as child pornography. Arrested at the scene was Kurtis Fegulia, 36, of Newport.

Newport Police began the investigation after receiving a Cybertip from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, which was developed in 1998 and is a national network of 61 coordinated task forces, representing over 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Since its inception, ICAC has trained over 675,000 law enforcement officers in the detection of crimes against children, has reviewed over 844,000 complaints, and has assisted in over 89,000 arrests of persons responsible for crimes against children.

With the assistance of ICAC, Newport Police were able to determine that Fegulia had downloaded or shared over 700 minutes (11+ hours) of video content, and over 800 separate files, depicting content of child sex abuse material (CSAM). Some of the victims in the content were as young as under 1 year of age.

Officers seized electronic equipment at the scene associated with the crimes.

Kurtis Fegulia, 36, was taken into custody and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on the following charges:

• Encouraging Child Sex Abuse 1 x 10
• Encouraging Child Sex Abuse 2 x 10

This investigation is ongoing. If you have any information regarding this investigation, contact Detective Cicerone of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

Information Released By: Lt. Tyson Haynes, 541-574-3348

Newport Police To Conduct Pedestrian Safety Detail -05/21/25

Traffic safety is important to all of us. Dedicated education, responsible and aware drivers, and traffic enforcement are a big part of roadway safety. Pedestrian safety on and near roadways requires extra attention.

The Newport Police Department is conducting a pedestrian enforcement detail on May 29^th, 2025 from 1pm to 4 pm at the marked crosswalk located at the intersection of Highway 101 and SW Angle street.

The public is reminded to use this time and everyday to see pedestrians and slow down. All intersections in Oregon, whether marked or not, are pedestrian crosswalks.

Information Released By: Sgt Leake, 541-574-3348