STABILIZING PUBLIC SAFETY: A PATH FORWARD FOR CLACKAMAS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT

As a former Clackamas County Commissioner who consistently supported our Sheriff’s Office while championing smarter, more efficient government, I view the recent budget challenges not as a crisis of despair but as an opportunity for innovation and renewed commitment to the safety of our families and communities. The defeat of the public safety levy in May underscores the very real pressures facing taxpayers rising costs, economic uncertainty, and skepticism toward new tax burdens. Yet, the need for strong law and order remains undiminished. Clackamas County deserves a hopeful future where effective policing thrives without unnecessarily straining household budgets or the broader county ledger.

During my tenure, I backed critical funding for deputies, jail operations, and essential services while insisting on accountability and efficiencies. Rising personnel costs, overtime, technology needs, and operational expenses have created shortfalls that mirror nationwide trends. With potential cuts in state and federal support on the horizon and growing reliance on local property taxes and levies, we must act decisively. The path forward lies in a balanced approach: targeted stabilization of the Sheriff’s budget, aggressive pursuit of efficiencies, and novel partnerships that deliver results without endless tax hikes. 

First, we must prioritize core functions while trimming where possible. Patrol deputies, jail capacity, investigations into serious crimes like human trafficking and elder abuse, and mental health response teams form the backbone of our safety net. These cannot be sacrificed. However, the county’s overall budget, already facing structural pressures, demands discipline. One-time general fund transfers have provided temporary bridges, but they are unsustainable. Instead, we should explore multi-year budgeting with built-in contingency reserves funded partly through performance-based reallocations from less critical areas. This sensitivity to the full county portfolio ensures public safety does not crowd out roads, health services, or emergency preparedness. 

Efficiency gains offer immediate relief. Modern law enforcement has powerful tools to do more with less. Data-driven deployment, for instance, uses predictive analytics to allocate patrols to high-risk areas and times, reducing unnecessary overtime and fuel consumption. Many agencies have reported 10-20% improvements in response efficiency through such systems. Clackamas should accelerate adoption of body-worn cameras and integrated evidence management not just for accountability, but to streamline prosecutions and cut court-related costs. 

Civilianization is another proven strategy. Sworn deputies are expensive; replacing administrative, dispatch support, and certain investigative roles with well-trained civilians can save significantly on salary and benefits while freeing officers for street duty. Shared services with neighboring jurisdictions, joint training academies, consolidated evidence labs, or regional fleet maintenance, reduce duplication. Clackamas could lead a Metro-area consortium for bulk purchasing of vehicles, technology, and supplies, leveraging economies of scale.  

Fleet management presents ripe opportunities. Transitioning high-mileage patrol vehicles to electric or hybrid models, combined with telematics to curb idling and optimize routes, can slash fuel and maintenance expenses. Predictive maintenance programs prevent costly breakdowns. Energy audits of facilities and LED retrofits further compound savings that can be redirected to frontline operations. 

Novel ideas can transform how we sustain law and order. One promising concept is performance-based incentives tied to outcomes. Reward units or teams that demonstrate measurable reductions in response times, recidivism, or specific crime categories with modest efficiency bonuses funded from savings. This fosters innovation without increasing baseline costs. 

Community-based prevention programs, such as expanded neighborhood watch coordinated via a county app with real-time reporting and AI-assisted triage, empower residents and reduce low-priority calls. Partnerships with local businesses for sponsorship of youth safety academies or mental health co-response teams divert non-violent incidents from the criminal justice pipeline, easing jail pressures. 

Asset forfeiture reform and reinvestment could generate dedicated streams. Proceeds from seized criminal assets, managed transparently with strict oversight, might fund technology upgrades or K-9 programs. Grant maximization is crucial: proactive pursuit of federal and state funds for body cameras, opioid response, and active shooter training has helped many counties bridge gaps. Clackamas should designate a dedicated grants coordinator within the Sheriff’s Office. 

Public-private partnerships offer creative potential. Collaborations with tech firms for pilot programs in drone surveillance for rural areas or AI license plate readers could be funded initially by vendors in exchange for data-sharing agreements (with privacy safeguards). Regional consolidation studies, exploring deeper integration of dispatch or specialized units with cities like Oregon City or Lake Oswego, merit serious examination without forcing unwanted mergers. 

Currently a large percentage of police calls are for drug related crimes. Solve the drug problem on our streets and you will have a corresponding reduction in police funding pressures. Solving this problem is paramount to the future of our county.

Looking ahead, we must prepare for leaner state and federal contributions. A diversified funding model—modest, voter-approved levies focused narrowly on proven needs, combined with relentless efficiency, protects against over-reliance on property taxes. Voter trust is paramount; any future ask must come with transparent metrics showing how prior dollars delivered safer streets and measurable savings. 

I remain optimistic about Clackamas County’s future. Our community has a proud history of resilience and common-sense governance. By embracing efficiencies, deploying technology wisely, forging innovative partnerships, and maintaining unwavering support for our dedicated deputies and Sheriff Angela Brandenburg’s team, we can uphold the highest standards of law and order. Families will continue to enjoy safe neighborhoods, businesses will thrive without the drag of crime, and taxpayers will see responsible stewardship of their hard-earned dollars. 

The challenges are real, but so is our capacity to innovate. Together, through collaborative leadership on the Board of Commissioners, we can build a stronger, more efficient Sheriff’s Office that secures our positive vision for generations to come. Clackamas deserves nothing less.