Benton County, Oregon
http://www.co.benton.or.us/sheriff/making_a_difference.php?
Printed on May 22, 2013 @ 1:47 AM
Benton County Sheriff's Office – Making a Difference
Community Involvement
Benton County Sheriff's Office is involved in the community on many levels, not just law enforcement. Here are some of the events we participated in during the past several years.
Drug Take Back Event Helps Protect Kids and the Environment
The 2nd annual Benton County Sheriff's Office "Drug Take Back Event" held on April 30, 2011 was a success!
Results:
The event, which was held at the Benton County Fairgrounds from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., resulted in a total of 362 pounds of unwanted medications collected. This is up from the 253 pounds collected last year.
Despite the rain, 238 households participated in the event; up from 176 last year. The event was staffed by volunteer Reserve Deputies who also did a sweep through the County, collecting medications in Monroe, Alsea and Kings Valley.
Additionally, the Reserves were able to recycle an estimated 120 pounds of packaging including cardboard, paperboard, paper bags, plastic film and plastic pill bottles.
Purpose:
The purpose of the event was two-fold: 1) to keep unused prescription drugs from being misused, and 2) to keep unwanted medications out of the water supply.
This is a public safety issue. The abuse of prescription drugs, particularly by teens, is rampant and growing. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that more teens abuse prescription drugs than any illicit drug except marijuana. Collecting unused medications helps ensure they will not be abused.
And it helps protect the environment. Trace amounts of pharmaceuticals have been found in Oregon's surface and ground water. Collecting and disposing of unwanted medications in an environmentally sound manner keeps them out of our water system.
Partners:
In partnership with the Sheriff's Office again this year was the Philomath Police Department and the Benton county fairgrounds. The Sheriff's Office also got an assist from Corvallis Public Works, Water Division who received a grant that paid for the event publicity and signage.
Medications Collected:
Eight boxes of medications totaling 362 pounds were collected in the following categories:
Prescription (rx) Pills - 106.5 lbs
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Pills - 60.5 lbs
Liquids (both Rx and OTC) - 129.0 lbs
Lotions and Creams (both Rx and OTC) - 52 lbs
Miscellaneous (inhalers, etc) - 14 lbs
Among the prescription medications collected were oxycontin, vicodon and oxycodone.
Households Participating:
A total of 238 households (vehicles) participated in the event. Most came from the Corvallis/Philomath area, but the entire county was represented.
The individual who came the furthest was a gentleman who was visiting family...from Georgia!
| City | ZIP Code | No. Households |  |
|
| Albany | 97321 | 3 households | ||
| Alsea | 97324 | 3 households | ||
| Corvallis | 97330 | 115 households | ||
| Corvallis | 97333 | 65 households | ||
| Corvallis | 97339 | 2 households | ||
| Georgia | 31316 | 1 household | ||
| Monroe | 97456 | 4 households | ||
| Philomath | 97370 | 44 households | ||
| Sherwood | 97140 | 1 household |
Future Events:
At this time the Benton County Sheriff's Office is not planning another event until next spring. Watch this website starting in March for details. Take Back Programs are the best way to dispose of old drugs. But if a program is not available, the DEA recommends that you:
- Take the medication out of their bottles
- Mix them with something unappealing like used kitty litter or coffee grounds.
- Seal them in a bag or disposable container and throw that away.
Corvallis Inaugural Half Marathon 2011
Several Benton County Sheriff's Office employees participated in Corvallis' Inaugural Half Marathon, challenging their fitness and helping to raise funds for several charities including Vina Moses, Linn Benton Food Share, CASA Voices for Children, Girls on the Run and the Rotary Club of Corvallis After 5.
Helping make the event – Corvallis' largest road race to date – a success were BCSO Reserve Deputies. They managed traffic control at major intersections of the 13.1 mile course, calming frustrated motorists and keeping the 1700 runners and walkers safe.
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BCSO Participants (and finishers!) Administrative Assistant Katie Cooper and her daughter Alannah, Deputy Andrew Formiller, Deputy J.R. Bier, Deputy Ryan Stutzman, Sgt. Leslie Pomaikai, and Policy/Accreditation Specialist Stacy Mellem (Not shown but also competing was Lisa Tompkins, Investigative Aide). |
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Reserve Deputy Brian Lundy keeps participants amused on busy Walnut Ave. | |
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Reserve Deputy James Skinner enjoys the event while keeping traffic under control. |
Shop with a Cop 2010
On Saturday, December 4, 2010 Benton County Sheriff’s Office Deputies helped make the holidays a little brighter for children in our community who would otherwise go without.
Ninety children were identified by social workers and arrived bright and early at the Corvallis Kmart to participate in the program.
The kids walked the store aisles with deputies, parole and probation officers, city police officers and state troopers to purchase toys, gifts and clothing. Not only did these children go home with a warm coat or a special toy, but also with the memory of a new friend in law enforcement.
United Way Day of Caring 2010
Whispering Winds Girl Scout Camp, September 24, 2010
Nineteen members from all five divisions of the Sheriff’s Office – Law Enforcement, Corrections, Parole and Probation, Emergency Services, and Support Services – came out to help clear trails and paint out-buildings for the Whispering Winds Girl Scout Camp as part of the United Way’s “Day of Caring.”
3rd Annual Benton County Sheriff's Office Chili Cook-off!
September 2010
The 3rd Annual Benton County Sheriff's Office Chili Cook-Off pitted 18 community teams against each other to compete for the "Benton's Best Rootin' Tootin' Shoot 'em up Chili." For the third year in a row, Philomath Police Department walked away with the top prize. Click here for a complete list of winners.
Six teams from the Sheriff's Office (Patrol Deputies, Reserve Deputies, Parole and Probation Officers, Female Corrections Deputies, Male Corrections Deputies and the Management Team) were among the competitors who arrived at the Fairgrounds at 6:30am to set up and start cooking before the gates opened to the general public at High Noon.
Teams not only made chili, but also decorated their booths and raised money for We Care Corvallis, this year's non-profit recipient. See teams.
The weather cooperated and an estimated 700 people passed through the gate. During the event, over $13,000 was raised for We Care Corvallis, a non-profit organization providing one-time financial assistance to Benton County residents in emergency need. Funds were raised through door receipts, team raffles, and even sponsorship. A big "Thank You!" to this year's sponsors.
2010 School Supply Drive
School supplies are collected and await sorting in photo on the right.
School supplies are ready to be sorted into boxes for three rural schools. Helping with the sort in the photo at left below are, from left to right: Investigative Aide Lisa Tompkins, Deputy Christopher Dale, Deputy Chris Duffitt, Sgt. Leslie Pomaikai, Corporal Jeff Wilcox and Deputy Megan Hussey.
Delivering supplies to the Kings Valley School in the photo on the right below are, from left to right: Deputy Megan Hussey, Auxiliary Team Volunteer Juan Ramos, Animal Control Program Manager Erica O’Neill, and Deputy Christopher Dale.
Polar Plunge 2010
On February 20, 2010 members of the Benton County Sheriff's Office joined other law enforcement officers and hardy citizens to plunge into the icy Willamette River in a fund raiser for Special Olympics.
Sponsored by Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, the first annual Corvallis Polar Plunge! raised nearly $37,000.00 to benefit the local Special Olympics program.
Visit Making a Difference - Past Events
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide professional service and protection with honor and integrity.
Our Vision
Our vision is we are valued as an exceptional Sheriff's Office.
Our Values
Our values are honor, integrity, ethics, and professionalism.
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