City Council hears ideas on curbing crime & poop in TD

By Tom Peterson

Concerns about theft, public defecation and urination and policing brought a series of public policy discussions with The Dalles City Council at its regular meeting on Monday, July 24. 

Some crimes such as theft of packages off doorsteps or the finding of human fecal matter outside businesses have pushed locals to ask for additional help from the City.   

On July 24, Councilors heard from staff on seven different proposals that are intended to increase the quality of life in The Dalles. The items were brought up for discussion but no formal decisions were made on the topics. 

It is anticipated the following items will be returned to Council in September for a vote or further discussion.  

 Adding Behavioral Health 

Staff proposed the creation of a partnership with Mid Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) to hire two full-time behavioral health staff members to work with law enforcement on issues with houseless people who may be creating a public disturbance or other various issues. It was noted that houseless people might be more apt to cooperate with a behavioral health staff member rather than police in agreeing to accept social programs that are available to them. 

The cost is projected at $150,000 annually. The City, MCCAC and Mid-Columbia Center for Living would each contribute $50,000. The City would request $25,000 from Wasco County to assist with the cost. Staff said it was possible that Opioid Settlement funds could be used for the City and County costs of the program if it meets the criteria. If not, funding would have to be found in the general budget. 

24-hour bathroom 

Described as almost indestructible, the Portland Loo comes with vents to see if there is anyone inside it as well as special lighting that makes it difficult to insert a needle in a vein. This bathroom or something very similar is being proposed for installation at the east end of the city parking lot at Third and Lincoln streets to provide a public bathroom 24 hours a day. Currently, the city does not offer such a bathroom, and the evidence is piling up.

Staff proposed the purchase and installation of a Portland Loo or bathroom in the east corner of the city parking lot at Lincoln and Third streets downtown.

The proposal comes as the public bathroom in the Veterans Services Office on First and Federal streets has been partially closed due to vandalism and public nuisance concerns.

At this time, there is no public bathroom that is open 24 hours a day. Local business owners report catching people urinating or finding the aftermath of a bowel movement in alleyways near their businesses. 

City Manager Matthew Klebes said the bathroom at the Veterans Services has been closed between dusk and dawn after receiving complaints from downtown business owners. 

The new bathroom is estimated to cost around $190,000.

“We need something,” The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Farquharson told the Council. “I’m tired of the Chamber being defecated on.”

While Farquharson said she did not know where the bathroom should be located, she said it needed to get placed. “We need something because I’m tired of cleaning it up with a shovel.”

Adding to Police Staff

Staff proposed adding $67,500 to the Dalles Police Department budget to create to create a full-time police position which would also be responsible for patrolling the watershed during summer months. Currently, Public Works pays for the half-time watershed patrol position. 

The City would pay for the additional $67,500.

Overfill Police Officer Position

Staff proposed adding a 26th police officer position to The Dalles Police by creating an overfill position that could be advertised when it appeared an officer was likely to leave the department. It is intended to speed up the hiring process, giving the department the resources it needs to work with the public.  

Currently, the police department is attempting to fill seven positions, so the need for the overfill position is not currently necessary; however, staff said it would assist in keeping a full roster of police officers in the future once new hires were made. 

The cost for the overfill position at maximum is $137,500; however, it is likely to cost much less as the position will only be temporarily filled at times when a new officer is taking a resigning officer’s position.

Pro-active Trespass On File

Councilors appeared to be supportive of expanding owner authorization forms to enforce trespass and property crimes without the owner’s presence at the property at the time of the crime’s occurrence.

The City has used this form with one or two property owners in the past, but this authorization would become part of a greater “tool kit” for property owners experiencing unwanted people on their property.  

Camera Registry 

Councilors also appeared to support a Security Camera Registry. This would allow residents to register their cameras with The Dalles Police Department to aid police investigations after an incident, such as the theft of a package from a front porch.

Tool Kit

Authorization Forms and Camera Registry would be added to the City’s Website’s information tools. The website would also contain information about programs, projects and resources aimed at addressing crimes.