As members of the Public Safety Committee we felt that it is important to share with the citizens about what this group is doing and discussing. 

In the meeting held Monday November 21, 2011 there were some key issues discussed that we would like to share.  Acting Chief of Police Jason Edmiston provided a list of Goals and Objectives for the coming year ranging from Customer Service consistent with the vision and values of the community, establishing performance objectives, addressing traffic issues, crime prevention and gang resistance efforts.  As members of the City Council we were all impressed with how well all units within the police department are working together in a positive manner and really stepping out on their own initiatives and getting things done.  We were also pleased with the positive way that the administrative police staff, officers and dispatch are working with other agencies including the recent efforts by Officer Jons in attending a recent gang meeting in the Tri Cities and his continuing efforts in reaching out to other agencies in regard to gang activities.

We were all pleased with the addition of Chaplain Terry Cummings to the Police Department roster and the efforts being made by the staff and Chaplain Cummings in moving forward regarding the formation of the program for the department.  It has been decided to form a program with three (3) chaplains to continue the positive efforts to build trust with all units within the department.

Contingent upon approval of the full Council at their next regularly scheduled meeting we were pleased to move forward on re-instituting the AJail Bed Program@.  This program will allow us to purchase exclusive use of a bed at the Umatilla County Jail for the City=s use in holding repeat or chronic offenders as a greater deterrent to crime.  The program will be administered through the Hermiston Municipal Court under the direction of Judge Thomas Creasing.

We also commend and support the reinstatement of Officer Kelly Parsons as a sworn officer with an emphasis of about 70% of his time devoted to code enforcement with the balance of time spent on assisting with patrol calls for service.

We welcome your input.  Please feel free to call us or drop us an email at city@hermiston.or.us.

Bob Severson
Jackie Myer       
Rod Hardin
Harmon Springer                                 
Lori Davis

The following are the minutes from our recent meeting.

• Read Minutes (PDF)