Chief equates crime figures with Measure 110
By Terry Murry on Thursday, December 9th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – When possession of user amounts of narcotics was lowered to a simple citation, Pendleton Police Chief Chuck Byram predicted crimes would go up as a result. He said with the courts no longer in a position to require substance use disorder treatment for offenders, addicts would focus solely on feeding their habits.
A look at crime statistics for the 90 days from September to December shows he was right.
“Last year, we had 22 burglaries from September through the month of December,” Byram said. “This year, it’s already doubled with almost 40.”
During that same period, domestic disturbances rose from 71 to 128, fights went from seven reports to 26, and thefts grew from 112 to 142.
Byram urges the public to take precautions to protect their property from thieves.
“Harden your target,” he said. “Don’t help yourself become a victim. There are people in this community and in every community throughout this country that are looking to victimize people basically because it’s easy to do. If you make it harder for them they will not do it.”
