Madras Police wrap up busy 2023 with string of arrests; new police chief, more officers help improve safety
(update: adding video, comments from police chief, mayor, new officer)
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- It’s been a busy 2023 for the Madras Police Department, including a new police chief and new officers joining the ranks. And the last week of the year and start of 2024 was no exception.
“Our officers have been very busy making significant arrests,” Police Chief Tim Plummer said this week. “I’m very proud of this team and the work they’re doing.”
The department detailed the recent arrests in a news release:
On December 26th, officers responded to a death in the homeless camp along Willow Creek and arrested Johnson Nixon Heath, Sr., 54, on charges of second-degree assault and criminally negligent homicide (though he only has been formally charged with assault).
Later that day, responding to a trespass call at the Plateau Truck Stop, police arrested a 38-year-old man on a warrant.
On December 27th, officers responded to a disturbance at Love’s Truck Stop on Highway 97 and arrested a 27-year-old man for criminal trespass.
The next day, officers responded to a report of an intoxicated person at a residence in the 70 block of Southeast Hoff Lane and arrested a 30-year-old man on a probation violation.
On December 31st, officers arrested a 66-year-old man for online sexual corruption and luring a minor. They also responded to a disturbance in the homeless camp along Willow Creek and arrested a 30-year-old man on a probation violation.
And in the early morning hours of January 1st, officers responded to a driving complaint and were able to locate and arrest a 25-year-old man for DUII. Not long after, they responded to a domestic dispute in the 200 block of NW Monte Vista Avenue and arrested a 32-year-old man on charges of fourth-degree domestic assault, unlawful use of a weapon and harassment.
Later in the day, officers responded to another domestic dispute in the 50 block of Southwest Third Street and arrested a 21-year-old woman on charges of fourth-degree domestic assault, harassment and second-degree disorderly conduct.
Sergeant Steve Webb said, “This is a busy end to the year. I appreciate the dedication and hard work our officers put in every day.”
According to Madras Mayor Mike Lepin, increased calls and staffing shortages have been a significant challenge for the police department over the past year.
"Staffing is starting to come back up," he told us Wednesday. "We're still working through what I call the fallout, and that's -- I use that word a lot around the city here, because we're dealing with the fallout from COVID. So COVID hurt a lot of ways, not just in health issues, but also the lack of staffing in a lot of realms."
Back in the summer, Plummer was sworn by Lepin as the new, permanent police chief. The police department also filled three of the four open sworn law enforcement positions.
"We've not had a solid police chief here for quite a long time," Lepin said Wednesday. "The police chief we have now is doing wonders to help boost morale."
The department has also has three new sworn full-time officers from the police academy in Salem. They're still looking to fill a fourth position.
One of the new officers, Karen Correa, said the benefits are apparent.
"We have more eyes on the roads. We're out and about a lot with the community," she said "So just kind of making it a little bit more friendly approach for people who've have been needing to make a call. We're telling them: No call is worth not making."
Madras also soon will be getting a new building for a homeless service center, which is expected to open soon.
"The building itself is going to be a new thing," Lepin explained. "This actually gives them a permanent location for them to do business at, and also provides a facility for other services to come and be spread out."
The mayor and police chief are hopeful an increase an officers and new resources will help with the homeless situation.
Plummer knows well the challenges of managing the homeless population of Madras.
Fentanyl is one of the many problems that runs in the homeless camps. They said pushing out Measure 110 was a struggle due to the lack of resources.
Lepin said, "Even if people wanted resources right this very minute, we may not have one. We may have to wait in line to get getting a treatment."
The Jefferson County Faith Based Network's goal operating the homeless service center, according to the City of Madras website, is to "create a center that not only provides shelter from extreme weather conditions for the homeless, but also provides connections to resources and opportunities for them to end the homeless cycle."
Plummer said, "Like many other cities, we're reaching out to that group of folks to find out what it is we can do for them to help out of that station that they're in. Give them a better space."
The Madras Police Department is also hiring. If you’re interested in a career with the department, visit their website at www.ci.madras.or.us. You can also follow them on Facebook
