Police vehicular pursuit data for 2023 showed the vast majority of people leading police on car chases in Salem were men between the ages of 22 and 40. Police chases were typically initiated as a result of felony crimes, the report showed.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Polk County’s new program to keep drug users out of jail launches Sept. 1
Polk County will start a new program on Sunday focused on diverting drug users away from the justice system. With a smaller population and budget than Marion County, Polk County officials focused on tailoring the program to its communities.
UPDATED: Downtown Salem streets reopened after reported gas leak
Northeast Center Street is closed between Cottage and Winter in downtown Salem as police, firefighters and NW Natural respond to a reported gas leak.
Inmate walks away from work crew in southeast Salem
T.J. H. Bennett, 44, is serving a sentence at Santiam Correctional Institution and was part of a city work crew when he walked away Monday afternoon.
Train kills Salem man who lay down on tracks, police say
The rail line through Salem was closed for about three hours Monday evening with a train stopped on the tracks as police investigated a man’s death.
Keizer man plans appeal of 3rd murder conviction
A jury convicted Peter J. Zielinski of murder in a third trial, rejecting his claims of extreme emotional disturbance.
Deputies hit Salem theft operation, recovering $500,000 in shoplifted goods
A Salem man paid pennies on the dollars for goods he bought from shoplifters and sold them quickly online, according to investigators. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the organized theft ring is one of the largest the agency has investigated.
After listening for months, city sets to work on anti-violence strategy
With the conclusion of the city’s Community Violence Reduction Initiative listening sessions, city officials say they are hiring a coordinator. The position is seen as vital to turn ideas into action to reduce gun violence in Salem.
Teenager given 7 years in youth correctional facility for beating to death a Salem homeless man
Over a year after Joshua D. Upton Jr. beat Russell Mikolas, a Salem homeless man, he pleaded guilty to the murder and received a seven-year sentence. At a sentencing hearing on Thursday, Aug. 22, the victim’s relatives described Mikolas as a kind and generous man.
Marion County sees most measles cases in over 50 years
Marion County has recorded 20 cases of measles so far this year, according to Oregon Health Authority data. It’s the most the county has seen since 1973.
