Assist at occupation costly for C.O. police agencies
The armed occupiers are dwindling, but the spending keeps growing in Harney County, as authorities across the state keep boots on the ground in Burns.
In Central Oregon, taxpayers are paying tens of thousands of dollars for local law enforcement response aiding Harney County, state and federal authorities. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has sent the bulk of resources, and estimates the occupation could cost the department about $35,000.
Sheriff Shane Nelson told NewsChannel 21 on Thursday that for more than five weeks, about 20 deputies have been in and out of Burns under a mutual aid agreement between all Oregon sheriffs.
Deputies have served in patrols, courthouse security, and a SWAT team was sent to help Oregon State Police. The sheriff’s office’s major incident team is also leading the OSP shooting death investigation of LaVoy Finicum.
“Some of those costs are overtime costs,” Nelson said. “But the need to help out and make sure Oregon stays a safe place to live, as well as our neighboring counties stay a safe place to live, is worth that investment.”
Nelson added, “Our public safety commitment has never been in jeopardy because of our commitment to resources in Harney County. We will always take care of the citizens we serve here first.”
Bend police estimates it’s spent about $21,000 so far. Most of its role has been providing administrative support, a SWAT team and investigative support in Finicum’s death case.
Bend police spokesman Lt. Clint Burleigh said most of the agency’s involvement in Harney County came immediately after Finicum was killed.
Crook and Jefferson counties have also put a couple deputies each in Harney County, according to staff in each sheriff’s office. Neither county was able to provide details Thursday on much much money the aid has cost their agencies.
Nelson said the FBI has asked his agency to provide expense reports, in an effort to begin processes for getting reimbursed.
Gov. Kate Brown has called upon the federal government to pay for expenses related to the armed occupation, although officials have yet to formally say whether that will happen.
In Congress, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D Ore., has introduced a bill seeking federal funding to reimburse the state.
Brown recently said the occupation is costing the state about $100,000 a week. A spokeswoman for the governor told NewsChannel 21 Thursday an updated cost estimate was not available.
As of Thursday, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office did not have any deputies in Burns. Nelson said he plans on sending another team to Harney County next week.
