Man recording offensive videos in Sisters sparks concern

Sisters residents are expressing concern about a man driving around the community and recording videos of various people, calling some names and posting those videos on YouTube.

In the videos, Conald Peterson is calling people offensive labels such “baby rapers” and then posts them to his YouTube channel.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday it is aware of the situation but that at this point, the man apparently has not done anything illegal.

“It’s immoral what he’s doing, but not illegal,” said sheriff’s Capt. Paul Garrison.

NewsChannel 21 showed the video to several Sisters residents, who expressed concern about what they saw.

“That is awful,” said Sisters’ resident Tony Sosa. “I can’t even believe that. That’s crazy.”

In the small community, residents are concerned.

“It’s unsettling,” said Sisters resident Adrienne Banks.

Peterson has been in Central Oregon for about a week, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies there had their first contact with him on April 7. He came to Bend to appear in court on a disorderly conduct charge. From there, they said, he went to Sisters.

“He was here on Saturday,” said an employee at Eurosport in Sisters who wanted to remain anonymous, out of fear of becoming the next target on Peterson’s YouTube channel. “I would be concerned, if I had employees working on their own, so we make sure there’s always two of us around.”

At the store next door, Heritage USA, employees said Peterson showed up on Wednesday, yelling at customers.

“It’s kind of scary,” said Banks. “Especially if he posts them on YouTube for the world to see.”

Peterson also has shown up at City Hall.

“Apparently it wasn’t violent,” said Sisters City Councilor David Asson. “But it was of a concern, so they called the sheriff.”

Despite being “trespassed” (banned) from several buildings, including City Hall, Peterson said he wanted to show up on Thursday’s City Council meeting.
Asson said they were prepared.

“There will be a captain and two deputies there,” Asson said.

But apparently he made no appearance at the session.

Still, the sense of security is shaken in Sisters. A man with a camera might be lurking anywhere

“I have to tell my neighbors and my wife to be careful,” Sosa said.

Two Deschutes County Sheriff’s Deputies were present at Thursday’s City Council meeting. Sergeant Vance Lawrence said he doesn’t know if Peterson is dangerous but wanted to be cautious and make sure the meeting was not disrupted.

Lawrence said there were no actual sightings of Peterson on Thursday, just many calls about his visit Wednesday. He said it is possible that Peterson has moved on to another city,