Bend police: Downtown foot patrols have had an impact

(Update: Adding more police comments, street performer, video)

Bend police are reporting a dramatic drop in police calls and crimes in the downtown area, thanks to an increased presence with officers patrolling on foot.

In the past couple of years, Bend police have increased their foot patrol presence in the downtown area. The department partnered with the Downtown Bend Business Association in an attempt to create a more family-friendly environment.

The Problem Oriented Policing Team also worked with city staff to reengineer the Mirror Pond parking lots and Drake Park, both popular places for transients.

Police Lt. Juli McConkey said Tuesday she’s seen a positive reaction from the foot patrols.

“Everybody is very thankful to see an officer. Sometimes, you only talk to a police officer when a crisis has happened,” McConkey said. “So thankfully, when we are out walking around downtown or anywhere in the schools, we are humans. And it’s easier and for someone to say, ‘Oh, OK, I’ve already spoken to so-and-so and I already have a relationship with them.”

Crimes and police calls have fallen across te board downtown. Trespassing calls decreased by 53 percent. Intoxicated subject calls have dropped 45.7 percent. Assault and dispute calls are down a combined 40 percent.

Traveler and street performer Teddy Espinoza has noticed an increased police presence, and not to his liking.

“Lately, I’ve been harassed'” he said. “I’ve had police contact me one, two, three, four, five times in the last maybe two weeks since I’ve been here. So I’m seeing police every other day.”

“If I was a different street performer who had a speaker and looked clean, without the beanie and the vest or whatever people are hung up on, they would be, like, ‘He’s fine, he’s good, making an honest living.’ So, I think I’m being discriminated against by these businesses that call the police,” he said.

Bend police have no plans to end the increased foot patrols.

“It’s continuing every day, all day,” McConkey said. “Of course, we are a 24/7 operation, so, even as we speak, there is most likely an officer walking around downtown.”

Bend police also reported a drop in calls for service during the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays, times of the year that typically are busy for police.

Here’s the news release from McConkey about the changes and the impact they’ve had.

“In 2016, the Bend Police Department working with the Downtown Bend Business Association, identified an increase in crimes and associated disruptive behavior that was significantly impacting the livability and overall family atmosphere in our downtown area, to include Drake Park and the Mirror Pond parking lots.

“The Police Department, Bend City Council, city of Bend staff, the downtown association and the Bend Parks and Recreation District collaborated to help make our downtown area more family-friendly.

“The use of crime data correlation and mapping, the use of the city ordinance allowing for the exclusion of those committing crimes from downtown area, the Problem Oriented Policing Team working with city staff to reengineer the Mirror Pond parking lots, and the Community Enhancement Program focusing on problem areas we have now seen the results in the form of significant reductions in crime and police calls in our key summer period between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

“The Police Department was given permission to increase staffing and then used that staff to help targeted areas of high police calls and crimes, increased foot patrols, and worked closely with downtown merchants as a team to improve the downtown area.

“This proactive policing model approached increased traffic stops by 14.4% and increased Community Enhancement Program downtown time by 7.8%.

“Between 2017 and 2019, reported calls for service reflect the following decreases in crime and calls:

Calls for unwanted subjects decreased 20.9% Trespassing calls decreased by 53% Intoxicated subjects calls for service decreased 45.7%, Animal control complaints decreased 19%, Assault and dispute calls combined decreased 40%. Theft calls decreased by 59.6% Mental health calls decreased by 38%

“The Bend Police Department is very appreciative of the support we receive from our community members and partners to help in the success of making our downtown area family-friendly and a place that continues to be visited by many,” McConkey concluded.