Bend police chief: Officers will be present at ballot drop boxes ‘when necessary’

(Update: Adding C.O. ballot return figures)

Goal: To protect right to vote, 'ensure safe and free elections' - not intimidate

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz announced Tuesday that officers will be at ballot drop-off sites "when necessary" in the days leading up to Election Day -- not to raise voter concerns, but to ease them, he explained.

The word of more focus on security in Bend comes as more than half of Central Oregon voters already have returned their ballots. Deschutes County ballot returns topped 52% by late Tuesday, while Crook County was at nearly 52% and Jefferson County at nearly 46%

Tuesday was deemed the last "safe" day to mail your ballot and be sure it'll arrive at the clerk's office in time. From here on, officials advise dropping them off at drop boxes; the lists are online and in every Voter's Pamphlet.

Here's Chief Krantz's full statement, released late Tuesday afternoon:

Statement from Chief Krantz Regarding Officers Presence at Ballot Drop Off Locations to Ensure Safe and Free Elections for Everyone in our Community
Bend Police Dept. - 10/27/20 3:55 PM

We are quickly approaching Election Day 2020. Amid increased political and social tensions in our country and frequent demonstrations, there are a lot of questions nationally and locally from community members wanting to know that their voting rights are protected. 

The Bend Police Department’s goal is to ensure that all of our community members have safe, free and equal access to ballot drop off locations.

On Election Day, and the days leading up to Election Day, our officers will be present at ballot drop off locations when necessary to, above all else, ensure safe and free elections for everyone in our community. 

The Bend Police Department is committed to doing this in a nonpartisan way that protects and promotes everyone’s right to vote. 

We know the presence of police officers at the ballot drop off locations may be perceived as intimidating to some community members, for a variety of reasons. 

We do understand that a police officer in uniform does bring with it different perceptions to different people. Our goal is to be there, first and foremost, to protect our community’s right to vote. 

We will be mindful of not unnecessarily positioning ourselves in ways that would inadvertently lead people to believe we are there to influence them or to monitor the process in any way. 

We approach incidents and calls with a lens of neutrality. This cannot be overstated when dealing with Election Day responses. 

Our response to any ballot drop box locations and any voter events would be in an effort to take actions necessary to preserve life and safety, or to stop acts that are dangerous. 

In doing so, we will strive to preserve people’s First Amendment rights, their right to vote, and their right to exercise both of them fairly and safely. 

The Bend Police Department has been in contact with both the Deschutes County Clerk’s Office and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to coordinate any potential need that may arise on Election Day to respond to calls for service as needed.

In Deschutes County, the County Clerk is the chief elections official of the County.  The County Clerk’s office plans, coordinates and conducts all elections in Deschutes County.  The County Clerk’s office ensures that elections are conducted according to statute and other related requirements.

Submitted by: Lt. Juli McConkey