Multnomah County Sheriff Presents 2024 Troutdale Public‑safety Report, Reiterates Support if City Seeks Independent Police

Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrissey O'Donnell and Captain Robert (Rob) Stewart presented the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office 2024 public‑safety report to the Troutdale City Council during the council meeting. The presentation summarized calls for service, detective caseloads, community outreach and planned technology and enforcement initiatives and outlined next steps to finalize the city's policing contract with Multnomah County.

The report matters because it frames the near‑term public‑safety operating picture for Troutdale and describes changes that could affect patrols, community programs and the city's timeline for deciding whether to continue the county contract or establish an independent municipal police department.

The Sheriff's Office said overall reported crime categories declined more than 20% from the previous year except for person offenses, which rose about 5%. Captain Stewart told the council that detectives entered 2024 with 99 open cases, received 154 new cases during the year and closed 155, leaving 93 open at year‑end. The office said calls for service showed marked reductions in reported stolen vehicles, theft and burglary while reports of assaults, suicide attempts, threats and traffic accidents increased. The presentation noted that time spent on both emergency and non‑emergency calls increased, and that some call types require longer on‑scene time.

The report highlighted the city‑dedicated community resource deputy. Sheriff Nicole Morrissey O'Donnell and Captain Stewart described a recent investigation led by Deputy Nick Boer that began with a traffic stop and led to a search warrant, recovery of stolen motorcycles and coordination with social services for a vulnerable adult at the involved property. Captain Stewart said the deputy regularly attends local events and partners with organizations such as American Medical Response on park safety missions.

Sheriff Morrissey O'Donnell summarized planned operational changes for 2025, saying the office has introduced drone technology and plans to implement body‑worn cameras. She said the Sheriff's Office will continue enhanced enforcement missions focused on gun violence, stolen vehicles, dangerous driving, retail theft and human‑trafficking interdiction, often coordinated with Oregon State Police and neighboring police departments. The sheriff told council members, “I do support, your pursuit of an independent city police department if that continues to remain the desire.” She added, “you can count on me, you can count on our entire office,” in reference to continued county support while the council considers its options.

Council members asked staff and the sheriff about summer river camping, patrol visibility in neighborhoods and the community resource deputy's priorities; staff said the deputy will focus on riverfront camping and parking enforcement over the summer. No formal council action was taken on the contract at the meeting; staff said they are continuing the process to finalize the intergovernmental agreement with Multnomah County and will return with next steps.

The presentation also summarized school‑resource work in the Reynolds School District, the HOPE (Homeless Outreach and Programs Engagement) team's outreach numbers and recent high‑visibility enforcement missions that produced recoveries of stolen property. The Sheriff's Office said Troutdale‑specific records work comprises roughly 22% of the county record unit's workload.

The council did not vote on the policing contract or adoption of new policies during the meeting. Staff said the contract finalization process will continue and any future decision by the council to form a municipal police or fire department would follow separate, additional council actions.

Councilors thanked the sheriff and county staff for the presentation and for ongoing partnership; the council opened but did not take public comment specific to the contract at that time.