• Flock license reader cameras use brings concerns
• Recycle your old mattress for free!
• Disaster Services Network seeks partners
• Get Home: a guaranteed ride home program

Flock license reader cameras use brings concerns

Last year the Washington County District Attorney’s Office (DA) received a $1.5 million grant from the state on behalf of the Washington County Organized Retail Theft Task Force to be used as part of a collaborative effort with all Washington County law enforcement agencies. Part of the grant was used to purchase seven Flock auto-license-reading camera systems at a total cost of approximately $396,000.

Use of such cameras has become controversial because they may have been used by federal agencies such as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to target immigrants. At a Washington County Commission meeting on November 18 [link to YouTube recording] Sheriff Caprice Massey explained the purpose of the program and reassured commissioners and the public around privacy issues.

Organized Retail Crime (ORC) has become a growing challenge for business and law enforcement. WCSO currently operates three mobile camera trailers and several smaller mobile cameras that are used in coordination with the DA’s office and other partner agencies. The cameras are moved around to locations determined to be hotspots for retail crime. You may have noticed them in parking lots atop a high pole with a flashing blue light. Massey said, “They are activated for a mission and then turned off.”

During the meeting, Massey said that no data from the cameras was being shared with federal agencies. “When used ethically and transparently, technology strengthens public safety and trust,” Massey said. “At no time do we share data with ICE or Border Patrol. The sheriff’s office’s use of cameras is a focused, accountable and transparent effort to address organized retail crime and protect our community.”

After Massey’s presentation, Commissioners said they want to learn more and will meet again at a later date, possibly in a public forum.

Recycle your old mattress for free!

In 2022, Oregon became the fourth state to pass a mattress recycling law requiring manufacturers to help people recycle their old mattresses. The law makes it easier to recycle mattresses by providing drop-off locations in every county. It also aims to reduce illegal dumping and create jobs in the recycling industry.

Pride Recycling in Sherwood is the first location in Washington County to offer free mattress recycling. Mattresses and box springs in any condition are accepted. Visit the ByeByeMattress site for more options.

Disaster Services Network seeks partners

The Disaster Services Network (DSN) is a Washington County initiative to build a sustainable, partner-led network of community-based organizations active in disaster response and recovery. This network will increase the local resilience of communities, improve coordination and alignment between voluntary and governmental response agencies and organizations, and help ensure that disproportionately impacted and disaster-vulnerable populations are able to access resources before, during, and after disasters.

The DSN is a space for local government and community partners to collaborate and coordinate in order to build resilience and better serve our community before, during and after disasters. The DSN follows a national Community Organizations in Disaster (COAD) model, so you may also hear of the Disaster Services Network referred to as a COAD.

If you are part of an organization with the willingness and resources to respond to a disaster, your group is welcome to join. This includes for-profit and non-profits, public and private agencies, faith-based and other community-based organizations.

This initiative is in its infancy, and we are especially looking for leaders—people and organizations—interested in working together to guide and support this effort. Current activities include quarterly leadership meetings and work group meetings. If you are interested in learning more, please fill out the Washington County Disaster Service Network Form (Link is external).

Get Home: a guaranteed ride home program

Sponsored by the Westside Transportation Alliance, “Get Home” is a Guaranteed Ride Home program. We’ll cover up to $35 of your Uber or Lyft fare in the event you experience unforeseen circumstances like personal illness, family emergencies, or unexpected overtime, that makes completing your alternative commute difficult or impossible. Get Home addresses one of the top barriers to choosing alternative commutes identified by respondents of our surveys: the fear of being stranded without a way home.

Anyone who regularly logs alternative commute trips (train, transit, e-bike, bike, walk, skate, electric or kick scooter, and carpool) on GetThereOregon.org and lives or works in Washington County, or is an employee of or otherwise affiliated with WTA member business can use Get Home. Learn more here.

Get There Oregon is a program led by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Transportation Options Program and local partners across the state that helps connect people and organizations with active and shared transportation options to improve commutes and everyday trips.