Category Public Safety

17-year-old stabbed as teens fought outside Salem Center Mall Tuesday
Police say a teen boy was hospitalized with a non-life threatening stab wound after a fight involving 10-15 teens on Northeast High and Northeast Chemeketa Streets.

Lawmakers passed array of criminal justice bills in tumultuous session
Oregon legislators addressed sex crimes, street racing, ghost guns and other public safety issues but did not fund a legal service for victims.

2 teens, motorcyclist killed in separate Salem collisions
The Salem Police Department this weekend announced three people had been killed in collisions in south and west Salem less than two days apart.

McNary counselor charged with sexually abusing minor in Polk County
Todd Bobeda, a school counselor and former coach, faces charges alleging he subjected a person under 18 to sexual contact multiple times and failed to perform his duties as a public servant, court records showed.

Salem man arrested in “random attack” on school staff near Highland playground
Charly Velasquez-Sanchez faces charges alleging he assaulted two Highland Elementary School educators outside the school building on June 14, the school’s last day of the year.

Eugene man sentenced in 2021 Salem murder-for-hire with teen shooter
The teen charged with shooting two people, one fatally, in a fake drug deal outside a northeast Salem elementary school is scheduled to change his not guilty plea on July 6.

Salem man killed in crash Sunday in east Santiam Canyon, police say
Police say Alberto Avila-Perez lost control of his car, crashing into a boulder, a trailer and an SUV Sunday on Highway 22. Avila-Perez was killed.

Salem to pay $25,000 settlement in lawsuit over excessive force at 2021 protest
City officials reached a settlement with Clifford Eiffler-Rodriguez three months after he sued the city, alleging police officers shot him at close range with pepper balls and “less than lethal” launchers.

Nicholas Hunter appointed Marion County Sheriff
Marion County Commissioners on Wednesday appointed Lt. Nicholas Hunter to complete the term of Sheriff Joe Kast, who plans to retire at the end of June. Hunter most recently oversaw the sheriff’s office’s enforcement division.

