[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6395154,"mediaKeyId","2101623-b0d72507829ef4866be6589350c8ed87","parentId",2101623,"title","Chief Skinner says EPD investigating organized burglaries targeting Asian households; recent DUI arrest under auditor review","audioSeconds",145,"startMs",4290000,"endMs",4435000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101623-b0d72507829ef4866be6589350c8ed87&start=4290&end=4435","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101623-b0d72507829ef4866be6589350c8ed87/thumbnail_4290000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6395154/Eugene/Lane-County/Oregon/Chief-Skinner-says-EPD-investigating-organized-burglaries-targeting-Asian-households-recent-DUI-arrest-under-auditor-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395154-c316bf9a65ec5f768c35f591292c730d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775508999&Signature=QKDVUYUPEN2yVoApCt6tGbNTkM16yiDvrmigeaTh1pRlAxm1ccW9mFHwen3aIePO8ptjoazoU39Dcyi2E4~ayQNSUEy-vhep4WlpcaG3Pn3QHOkj8RGEkLXkm-rG8FqKI9qosG5WG73P7ZVvOqBVBF85evvrRwKgFML7BGSX1H0pMK9nQB~sPSATiIyEEpmZeQ-tTLnfKyEuTHsIFT5Vm4wfW41aFMCeckYw0yMwjqz1nt6oHRYya7Hgn-um1avA1msD6RximhgIkuovncrDCocnjHyEB1vX9fzzbNyYbzgx8UKO~wq2E4ABCT8kh7z7mhKRoh-FnkiwY4SeA-mIow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Eugene, OR","date","2025-01-10T18:44:25Z","article","Eugene — At the Jan. 9 Police Commission meeting, Chief Steve Skinner described the Eugene Police Department’s investigative response to a spate of burglaries targeting Asian households and told commissioners the department is cooperating with prosecutors and the auditor’s office on several high‑profile incidents, including a Jan. 1 DUI arrest that has prompted public questions.

Skinner said the department has identified and arrested people connected to an early wave of organized burglaries; investigators tied several arrests to individuals from Colombia and said recent cases reflect a national trend of organized rings targeting wealthy households. “We are heavily involved with lots of intelligence, and we’re feeling really good about our position to eradicate this from the community,” Skinner said.

Commissioners asked whether the earlier wave of arrests included Asian victims; Skinner replied that detectives reported some members of the earlier burglary series involved members of the Asian community and noted that “Asian” covers a broad set of backgrounds. Commissioner Parham had raised community concerns earlier about repeated burglaries of seven Asian households and asked who is assigned to the investigations; Skinner said detectives are actively working these cases.

On the Jan. 1 DUI arrest that generated public attention, Skinner told the commission that Eugene has substantial body‑worn video and that the incident is within the auditor’s review process. “That individual, Mister McWilliams, has a due process right,” Skinner said, adding that the auditor’s office is reviewing whether policy violations occurred and that any issues would be addressed through the established accountability system.

Skinner also reported staffing and recruitment updates: he said the department is “getting ready to go to graduation next Friday at the Police Academy for nine new police officers” and has additional recruits entering the pre‑academy; the department is also actively recruiting dispatchers. Councilor Yates told the commission that the City closed applications for the police auditor role and received roughly 28 applicants meeting minimum qualifications; councilors will score applicants in the coming days.

Why it matters: The burglary series and the high‑visibility DUI arrest both touch on community safety and police accountability. The auditor’s review and prosecutor decisions will shape public answers about use‑of‑force and charging choices; separate detective work is ongoing in the organized‑crime burglary cases.

What’s next: Williams and Skinner said investigation and intelligence work continues on the burglaries; the auditor’s office is examining the Jan. 1 arrest and will determine whether policy violations occurred.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Eugene Police Commission Meeting: January 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Chief Steve Skinner updated the Police Commission on investigations into multi‑state burglary rings affecting Asian households, said arrests have been made, and confirmed the auditor’s office is reviewing a Jan. 1 DUI arrest involving use of force.","taxTitle","Eugene , Lane County, Oregon","taxId",2848,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6395162,"EPD cultural audit flags evaluations, leadership development; commission backs hiring mental‑health professional",0,6593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101623-b0d72507829ef4866be6589350c8ed87&start=6593&end=6593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101623-b0d72507829ef4866be6589350c8ed87/thumbnail_6593000.jpg","/articles/6395162/Eugene/Lane-County/Oregon/EPD-cultural-audit-flags-evaluations-leadership-development-commission-backs-hiring-mentalhealth-professional","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395162-1b9077975ab5af64c3b2dc9d51081924/orig.mp4?Expires=1775508999&Signature=eI9QWlnSu~iZ6p4BOQypUh9Bm-NtsbuTkdNVYCSxlAt~vW0DeMmS44pdAFq4ZDhJpxnqYglRZYZQx7c5JpkJ90isP0Ppa7sy2OsgVrQKSY58OE0Y~vtImzqUFbFTMcthN61-oRayFc20234aQy~ZgtxX43wRgVbClVb4zqFDnXG1LBcZvgXzEznlNy3dJIc874FqMynjR1l6EtgZySlKH-SHTFM0xbc6UuD9sFasW7vlMwXApTq3elzLv4R2xk9N4BFPh1lv3lhLm8u95v3Pj-rIKkDQfANizib3DiVwQ~ZlyH7UXQMe3gb~yFWUUhZ72ZMSVkanE73oCRLi-Xnp0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eugene — The Eugene Police Department’s recently delivered workplace culture audit and a city Police Commission subcommittee review led the commission on Jan. 9 to back efforts for more mental‑health support and to request clearer policy on post‑critical‑incident counseling.

Chief Steve Skinner told the commission the department engaged consulting firm M3 to perform a culture audit that interviewed “a little over 20% of the organization” (about 60 of roughly 350 employees) and produced high‑ and moderate‑priority recommendations. Skinner said he emailed department staff a high‑level summary of the recommendations this week, but that the full audit report will not be released to the public commission due to confidentiality and public‑records concerns. Skinner said the commission will be provided an executive summary distilled from the report.

The audit’s high‑priority recommendations, as described by Skinner, included improving promotional and performance evaluations, implementing structured employee and leadership development programs, and addressing interpersonal workplace behaviors including microaggressions. Moderate priorities included increasing leadership visibility, improving communications to staff, and enhancing inclusion of professional (non‑sworn) staff. The audit also reported recurring fatigue tied to understaffing.

The commission’s Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Subcommittee, chaired by Commissioner Rady, unanimously advanced a recommendation asking the commission to “encourage and support the Eugene Police Department to engage the services of a mental‑health care professional” for department personnel. The commission voted to present that recommendation to City Council; the motion passed with six votes in favor and one abstention from the commissioners present.

Commissioner Rady and other subcommittee members also proposed clarifying policy language for section 810.3.5 (an existing policy tied to post‑critical‑incident counseling). The subcommittee suggested requiring a first counseling visit “within two weeks” of a qualifying incident and removing language that would allow limited confidentiality exceptions; Chief Skinner responded that the policy is closely tied to state law (Senate Bill 111/ORS) and collective‑bargaining obligations and that the department would work with the subcommittee to draft workable language. Skinner emphasized that current state law and policy typically trigger mandated counseling following officer‑involved shootings and that the definition of “critical incident” is legally and operationally complex.

Rady told the commission the subcommittee wants an operational policy that addresses post‑shooting care and provides clarity about other potentially qualifying incidents (for example, mass casualty events, on‑duty deaths or severe injuries). Chief Skinner said the department supports the goal and recommended starting with language that focuses on officer‑involved shootings before deciding whether to expand definitions.

The subcommittee also sought permission for its chair and the commission president to speak to a reporter about the subcommittee’s work; the commission authorized Chair Jencina Hawkins and Commissioner Rady to give a one‑time interview, with a majority voting in favor and one commissioner voting no.

Why it matters: The audit and the subcommittee’s work address officer wellness and organizational health — factors the department says affect personnel retention, performance, and community interactions. Any changes to mandatory counseling or fitness‑for‑duty processes will involve legal review, bargaining with unions and careful handling of confidential employee information.

What’s next: Chief Skinner said he will meet with senior staff to incorporate the audit recommendations into the department’s 2025 strategic plan, produce an executive summary for the commission and collaborate with the subcommittee and city attorney on policy language that balances personnel confidentiality, legal mandates and operational needs.","A workplace culture audit and a law‑enforcement mental‑health subcommittee prompted the Police Commission to recommend the department engage a mental‑health professional and to press for clearer post‑shooting counseling policy.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6395168,"Eugene expands drone-as-first-responder program; officials cite faster situational awareness and safety gains",3316,4254000,7570000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101623-b0d72507829ef4866be6589350c8ed87&start=4254&end=7570","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101623-b0d72507829ef4866be6589350c8ed87/thumbnail_4254000.jpg","/articles/6395168/Eugene/Lane-County/Oregon/Eugene-expands-drone-as-first-responder-program-officials-cite-faster-situational-awareness-and-safety-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395168-8c7069a21aed396e8468277b1b05c1c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775508999&Signature=EVnIpZ42PJiVnHaliiy3enz5mXmVSmcKxXPO5-XouAUPcdBUBuYQw6l527Wm0T9iofYMyIXTAEHXJjMvXhVN7Z0n9mM7ioYh2-PhWXWBVriIzSCPAwCWQa28f96yfczD1LJo0Tn5C1eg0DVq-MPc1JL53~rldxqik5zAYl5wTUd57qOT1f~YqnS7Vc8aVnDuyt-ZB7mkwER3IqNo7nEgY4-m9EHT~bQ0RM9bLB8A44ibvWxv7-kNEv4qdZclWKcFHBIJu1nhi3Zi7GKISbChKP4ZiFfl6Hax7vK8FSNO-iEepZvp5yM-kvo4XDne-EkFF1tqo0Wbkr9qXezHm2iaAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eugene — The Eugene Police Department outlined an expanded drone program on Jan. 9, saying drones are increasingly used to provide rapid situational awareness, reduce risky officer contacts and support multiple teams including SWAT and patrol.

Police sergeant Kyle Williams, who leads the department’s drone work, told the Eugene Police Commission that the program started as a pilot and has grown into a department-wide capability that now trains officers, dispatchers and community service officers to fly drones. Williams said the department operates interior “tiny” drones for building searches and larger weatherproof platforms with thermal and zoom cameras for overwatch and scene scanning.

The program now includes a Metro team with Springfield Police Department and uses commercial platforms, specialized software and remote “drone docks” placed in neighborhoods. Williams said the EPD is operating under an FAA authorization for beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight testing, and the department is pursuing a full BVLOS waiver to remove some visual‑observer constraints.

“Drones really are about creating space,” Williams said during the commission presentation, describing examples in which drones arrived on scene faster than officers, provided a live view that confirmed whether a suspect was armed and allowed officers to approach with more information. He described two episodes where drones helped officers locate and safely detain persons described as armed; in other cases the drone clarified that a reported weapon was fake or that there was no active threat.

The department supplied usage figures from its presentation. Williams said the combined Eugene–Springfield ground team recorded 443 deployments in 2024. Since the department began formal DFR operations in May 2024, Williams said the DFR effort responded to 527 calls; it was first on scene 76% of those calls, contributed to 28 arrests and 17 suspect captures, and cleared roughly 27% of calls without dispatching patrol officers. Williams attributed the program’s funding to a mix of sources including the Community Safety Payroll Tax, grants and donor support through the Eugene Police Foundation.

Williams described operational limits and legal checks that shape drone use: Oregon statutes and a 2013‑era drone framework require the department to obtain a warrant where feasible or to show probable cause and exigent circumstances for warrantless aerial monitoring; written affidavits must be filed in some search‑and‑rescue cases. He said Eugene routinely includes drone language in warrants and relies on RapidSOS GPS information from 911 to guide remote launches.

Chief Steve Skinner praised Williams’ work and told the commission the program fits with municipal expectations for technology adoption. Skinner said the department is preparing for legislative conversations this session that could clarify statutes governing law‑enforcement drones.

Commissioners asked about staffing, privacy safeguards, marking of police drones and technical constraints such as wind limits and loud rotor noise. Williams said docks auto‑charge and allow for rapid launches; they currently restrict takeoffs in winds above roughly 18–28 mph depending on conditions. He also said lighting and loudspeakers are limited by available attachments and flight duration, and that manufacturers and FAA rules still shape what is feasible.

Williams said the department has worked with the Law Enforcement Drone Association (LITA) to develop standards and training and has exchanged training and procedures with agencies across the Northwest. He also described plans to explore fixed‑wing, vertical‑takeoff designs that would extend loiter time from roughly 30 minutes to multi‑hour missions.

The commission did not vote on policy changes at the meeting; commissioners requested the department return with a written operations manual and policy appendix for formal review.

Why it matters: Drones can shorten response times on in‑progress crimes, improve officer safety by delivering remote observation before an approach, and reduce unnecessary patrol responses. The technology also raises statutory, privacy and operational tradeoffs — including when warrants are needed, how to log and retain flight data, and how to staff a service that runs across multiple shifts.

What’s next: Police staff said they will draft an operations document and bring policy language back to the commission for formal review; they will also pursue FAA approvals and legislative clarifications that could expand permissible uses.","The Eugene Police Department detailed its drone program and “drone as first responder” (DFR) rollout, citing mission examples, legal constraints, staffing needs and partnerships with Springfield and national organizations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chief Skinner says EPD investigating organized burglaries targeting Asian households; recent DUI arrest under auditor review

EPD cultural audit flags evaluations, leadership development; commission backs hiring mental‑health professional

Eugene expands drone-as-first-responder program; officials cite faster situational awareness and safety gains