Byram frustrated with repeat offenders
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – Pendleton police arrested Everett Steven Payne Sunday for breaking into an unoccupied home. He is facing a felony first-degree burglary charge for the act. Chief Chuck Byram homes it will mean Payne, who has been arrested 47 times for similar crimes, will have to serve some time.
Byram said his fear is that one day Payne will enter a house that is not vacant and police will be called out to investigate a death instead of an illegal entry.
“What people like to classify as minor incidents I like to qualify as quality of life crimes,” he said.
He added that it is clear to him and his officers that leniency for frequent offenders is not working.
“I am more than frustrated with it, our officers are more than frustrated with it, and – dang it – I know our community is more than frustrated with it,” he said. “It’s time that we stop enabling. It’s time that we start holding (them) accountable.”
