Hello council members and Mayor Pulliam. This has turned out to be a very different holiday season for all of us. I truly hope all of you get the opportunity to spend time with family and reflect not on the negative aspects of the past year, but the good that has come from the challenging and often difficult tasks we have all faced and continue to thrive.

I’d like to focus this report on the issue that has come up at recent meetings regarding the homeless population in and around our area. At the last council meeting, our city attorney and I explained some of the challenges we are having recently, including the case currently on appeal that originated with the City of Boise Idaho. Personally, I do not think the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision will be overturned. For the City of Sandy and all other municipalities that fall under the 9th Circuit, it is very challenging to manage the homeless population and camps set up on public property given the new restrictions on enforcement as a result of this decision. In addition to this, I believe the recent pandemic and the atmosphere in and around the Portland Metro Area has resulted in an increased number of homeless individuals in our area. I will discuss this further with City Manager Wheeler in the coming weeks. I think it best that we all talk about this issue perhaps in an upcoming work session early next year. I have significant concerns regarding this issue as it is taking up more of my officers time on patrol and now a majority of my code enforcement officers time.

Briefly in other news, our recruitment continues here at the PD and I have recently sent out two conditional offers of employment. These positions are for the open spot created by the retirement of one of my officers and an additional spot for an officer who will be transferring to another agency by years end. We are also developing a hiring list in anticipation of an additional opening.

Have a wonderful holiday season everyone. Chief Roberts.