Public Safety

Local law enforcement urged neighbors to look out for each other at an Asian American public safety forum in Eugene Thursday evening, saying they need the entire community’s help to stop a burglary ring.

In a letter Thursday, Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat, said he supported communities that are reviewing their police departments contract with the company.

The decision came less than a week after the city council unanimously asked city manager Sarah Medary to pause using the cameras, owned by private company Flock Safety, until they could discuss privacy and civil rights concerns.

Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner said at a Friday press conference that his department is still investigating whether these suspects are linked to nearly two dozen similar burglaries targeting local Asian American business owners over the last year.

City Council members said recent efforts to deploy National Guard troops in Portland, and aggressive federal immigration enforcement tactics made them nervous about continuing to use a new surveillance technology.

Springfield Police may be the next local law enforcement agency to get a military-style armored vehicle.

Springfield Police have finished installing 24 AI-powered license plate readers, but the department says it won’t turn them on until the city has a community conversation about the technology.

A man killed by a hit and run driver over Labor Day weekend is the third person to die at this 126 intersection in the last four years. The area was scheduled for a safety overhaul. But troubles with federal funding may shrink the project, and push back construction at least a year.

Springfield may take a second look at its contract with a private company that provides AI-license plate readers after several community members raised privacy concerns.

The group says they fear the system could be used to surveil marginalized communities, activists, or undermine Oregon sanctuary law, which prohibits public resources being used for immigration enforcement.

In Oregon, anyone can sue if they believe local law enforcement has wrongfully helped immigration authorities. Only one coalition, The Rural Organizing Project, has done so successfully, winning a suit against Cottage Grove last year.

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden announced Friday that he has made a deal with AI-license-plate reader company Flock to limit other state’s access to Oregon’s data.