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Local business owner alleges 27-minute detention by officer; council asks staff to follow up
Summary
James Loftus, owner of the Gardner House Café, told the council he was detained by Officer Bevins for 27 minutes on his property and said he will open a citizen inquiry; staff told the council they met with him, believe the situation was de-escalated and will investigate further.
Stayton — During public comment at the meeting, James Loftus, owner of the Gardner House Café and B&B, alleged an officer with the Stayton Police Department detained him on his property for 27 minutes and said he will compile evidence and witness testimony for a citizen inquiry that could be referred to federal investigators.
"Officer Bevins rolls up and unlawfully detains me for 27 minutes," Loftus said during his three-minute public comment. He cited state statute references and department policy sections he said establish a duty to intervene and to report such incidents.
Council members did not take formal action on the allegation at the dais. City staff said they met the commenter earlier in the day and believe they de-escalated the interaction. Julia, a city staff presenter later in the meeting, said she would follow up and that staff would check whether departmental reporting obligations were met and whether any further administrative steps are required.
The council did not discuss personnel action in open session and offered no adjudication of the allegation during the meeting. Loftus told the council he had not filed a formal complaint yet but said he intended to pursue further inquiry to determine if departmental policy or state law requirements were violated.
