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Yamhill County sheriff reports rising jail population, K‑9 and narcotics seizures amid efforts to deflect people to treatment
Summary
Sheriff Elliot told the board the jail averaged 127 daily occupants in 2025 (up 11.4%), reported a rise in SB‑1145 diversion candidates, credited in‑jail tablets for reduced incidents, and outlined narcotics team seizures and deflection program results.
Sheriff Elliot gave a department update March 26 that combined operational metrics with programmatic changes and enforcement results.
On the jail, he said the average daily population in 2025 was 127, an 11.4% increase over the prior year, and noted a roughly 60% increase in the county’s SB‑1145 (prism diversion) population. He said bed rentals — housing people for other jurisdictions — averaged 21 and have risen with expanded agreements. "Our average daily population is 127 for last year which is an increase of 11.4% from the prior year," he said.
Elliot attributed a drop in reportable incidents to in‑jail tablet technology that allows scanned mail, video visits and educational programming, reducing contraband and staff movement. He also described repairs to the jail kitchen after a fire; the county’s property insurer will cover repair costs after a $10,000 deductible paid from the insurance reserve.
On enforcement, the sheriff highlighted expanded canine and narcotics work. Rojo, the narcotics K‑9, was reassigned to jail work with a new handler; patrol K‑9 Valkyrie had 127 deployments that led to 67 arrests. He said a street crimes and narcotics team operating since June 2025 produced 70 cases through March 2026, resulting in 96 arrests, identification of 14 out‑of‑county supply pipelines and significant seizures: 351.7 grams of cocaine, 1,673 grams of fentanyl and 2,719 grams of methamphetamine, plus pill and strip dosage units.
Elliot also summarized the behavioral health deflection program: 227 referrals through March 23, with 172 eligible and nine successful program completions (defined as 90 days of verified abstinence or six months of continued engagement). He framed enforcement as targeting dealers while connecting people in crisis to treatment.
The board asked questions about kitchen insurance, K‑9 retirement, and program funding. No formal decisions were taken; the update will inform budget and service planning.
