Category Public Safety
Program helping Marion County drug users stay out of jail ends after state funding decrease
For over a year, the Marion County District Attorney’s Office oversaw a program helping people faced with low-level crimes pay off their restitution while working through substance use treatment. A recent decrease in state funding led officials to bring the program to an end.
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CITY MEETING: Council approves adding four ambulance workers to fire department
The Salem City Council will consider authorizing four more full-time ambulance workers for the fire department to help address strain on the city’s ambulance system as call volumes rise.
Gov. Kotek taps interim Oregon public defense head for permanent position
Kenneth Sanchagrin, an experienced criminal justice analyst, will continue leading the state's public defense commission after making progress on a shortage of attorneys.
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Cold weather advisory in place for Salem Friday and Saturday, warming shelters to open
Temperatures are forecast to reach a low of 24 degrees Friday and Saturday night. Salem-area warming shelters will open both nights, and the National Weather Service warns of hypothermia and frostbite risk.
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Updates on Salem man’s murder of girlfriend, UGM stabbing
Salem Reporter’s monthly feature with the latest developments in recent criminal investigations and prosecutions.
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Salem launches REACH Team to respond to mental health, substance crises
Salem launched a new response team called REACH to handle 911 calls involving mental health crises and substance use – without relying solely on police or fire crews. Staffed by a paramedic, EMT and Marion County mental health professional, the team is part of a six-month pilot to de-escalate crises, connect people to services and reduce repeat emergency calls.
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UPDATE: Salem warming shelter to open nightly, through Friday
The warming shelter at Salem First Presbyterian Church will be open Tuesday through Friday night, with below-freezing temperatures expected. It opens at 7 p.m., and guests will be served dinner, snacks and breakfast.
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2 dead, one seriously injured in crash on Turner Road
Deputies believe speed was a factor in a Sunday crash that left a 24-year-old Salem man with serious injuries and killed two young women.
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Victim in recent stabbing shows wound at Salem City Council meeting
A landscaper attacked in a south Salem stabbing told police and city councilors he was trying to move a man in a tent when the man attacked him. Jonathan L. Jones, the man arrested in the stabbing, has a sexual offense in his criminal history, along with assault charges.