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Tigard police report rise in organized retail thefts, drug offenses and slower response times
Summary
Police Commander Bob Rogers told the City Council that organized retail thefts and some drug offenses rose in March, and priority call response times slipped above seven minutes; staff cited staffing limits and increased detection as drivers.
Tigard Police Commander Bob Rogers told the City Council on April 22 that thefts tied to organized retail crime and some drug offenses increased in March, and average response times for high-priority calls were rising above the department’s target.
The council heard that “we ended up having a rise in thefts and some organized retail crimes,” Rogers said, and that the uptick reflects both active enforcement missions and improved detection, particularly by loss-prevention officers working with law enforcement. He said retail loss-prevention units at stores including Home Depot and Lowe’s had become “better at doing what they're doing,” producing more recorded incidents.
Rogers also described a renewed presence of stimulants, including cocaine, and said fentanyl continues to be detected sometimes mixed with other substances. “We’re starting to see different variables, different types of narcotics that are being present,” he said.
The commander told councilors the department was tracking slower response times: “We're up above 7 minutes approaching 8 on a priority 1 or 2 call. That's not acceptable for us.” He said staffing levels were a contributing factor and that the department’s budget goal is a six-minute response time for priority 1 calls.
Traffic and neighborhood cut-through driving were additional concerns. Rogers said roadwork on Highway 217 and Hall Boulevard is prompting motorists and navigation systems to route traffic through residential streets, complicating the city’s recent speed reduction efforts. The police traffic team has radar trailers and a web-based traffic safety reporting tool for residents to flag trouble spots.
Rogers urged residents to document valuable personal property and keep records off-site or on removable drives to aid recovery in theft cases.
Why it matters: Organized retail theft, changing drug patterns and stretched staffing that lengthen emergency response times can affect public safety perceptions and require budget and operational responses from local government.
What’s next: The council did not take formal action but discussed the issues with Rogers and committed to following up through the police budget and staffing process.
Sources: Presentation and remarks by Police Commander Bob Rogers to the Tigard City Council on April 22, 2025.
