Curry County Approves Community Resource Officer Agreement with Brookings for Public Safety

The Curry County Board of Commissioners convened on September 3, 2025, to discuss several key issues, primarily focusing on public safety initiatives and community resource management.

The meeting commenced with a significant discussion regarding the approval of an intergovernmental agreement between Curry County and the city of Brookings for a Community Resource Officer (CRO) position. This initiative aims to enhance public safety in the Harbor area, which is expected to cover approximately 80% of the local population. The funding for this program will be sourced from opioid settlement funds, a decision that has garnered support from multiple jurisdictions utilizing similar funding strategies. The commissioners expressed confidence in the program's potential benefits and acknowledged the importance of aligning local ordinances with Brookings to ensure consistency in operations. A motion was made and unanimously approved to move forward with the agreement, allowing for the execution of the contract and subsequent implementation of services.

Following the public safety discussion, the meeting transitioned to updates from the Director of County Operations, Ted Fitzgerald. A notable topic raised was the ongoing concerns surrounding the farmers market in Harbor. Fitzgerald emphasized the need for a more in-depth conversation regarding the market's operations, suggesting that it may require a dedicated workshop or special meeting to address community concerns adequately. He highlighted the misinformation circulating on social media and local news outlets, clarifying that the board has not intervened in the planning and building department's decisions regarding the market. Fitzgerald stressed the importance of transparency and accurate communication as the board navigates these community issues.

The meeting concluded without further public safety updates, but the discussions set the stage for future engagements on both the CRO initiative and the farmers market, indicating a proactive approach by the commissioners to address community needs and concerns.