10/20/2026
There's a difference between hearing what people think our community needs and actually sitting down with them to listen.
After 21 years with the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, I've learned that you cannot effectively serve a community unless you're willing to listen to the people who live there.
The concerns of someone living in La Pine may be very different from those of someone living in Bend, Sisters, Redmond, or one of our rural communities.
That's why community town halls have been important to me. I want to hear directly from residents about what's working, what's not working, and what we can do better.
Some of the most common concerns I've heard involve traffic safety, law enforcement coverage, responsible spending of taxpayer dollars, and rebuilding trust in the Sheriff's Office.
But I also believe listening means very little if you're not willing to do something with the information people give you.
One example is the concerns residents have raised about speeding, aggressive driving, and the need for a stronger law enforcement presence on our roadways.
In response, I added a dedicated traffic enforcement position within our Patrol Division. We're also utilizing our patrol deputies, when available, to focus specifically on traffic enforcement throughout Deschutes County.
We're continuing to evaluate the results, but this is an example of how community feedback can directly influence the decisions we make as an organization.
Another concern I've heard repeatedly is the need to rebuild trust in the Sheriff's Office.
I recognize that our organization has faced challenges, and I don't expect the community to simply take my word that things are improving.
Since becoming Sheriff, I've focused on stabilizing our organization, improving our internal culture, strengthening accountability, and rebuilding relationships with the people we serve.
There's still work to do, and I understand that trust isn't something I can demand from the community. It's something we have to earn through our actions every single day.
That's also why I believe these conversations need to continue long after the election is over.
I plan to schedule additional town halls throughout Deschutes County, giving residents in different communities the opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and better understand how their Sheriff's Office operates.
Information about upcoming town halls will be shared through our Sheriff's Office website and social media pages. If you can't attend, you're always welcome to contact our office directly.
I know there will be times when people disagree with decisions I make as Sheriff. That's part of leadership, and I'm willing to have those conversations.
At the end of the day, this is your Sheriff's Office. We work for you, and you deserve leadership that listens, responds, and follows through.
If there's a public safety concern in your community or something you'd like to better understand about the Sheriff's Office, I'd like to hear about it in the comments.
