Commissioner Palmer speaks on the demand for more police

By Logan Bagett on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

JOHN DAY – The John Day City Council met Tuesday, February 1st, followed by a work session. Grant County Commissioner Sam Palmer was present during the work session to discuss a proposed police agreement from the county to the city. The commissioner expressed the need for funding and more police presence in John Day:

“In fact, we’ll probably get grieved by the police in Union for not having adequate staff and safety. Our officers responded to three weapons incidents the other day. One was almost—I watched the video—was very close to being a shooting, and we would have been down two more officers and possibly two more state officers.

Probably, I would say, less than a matter of inches before someone got shot.”

Grant County offered to provide additional deputy coverage to the the City of John Day for a yearly amount, depending on the terms of the recently-awarded COPS Grant. Commissioner Palmer and John Day City Councilor Heather Rookstool outlined the terms of the county’s proposal:

“Sam: Three officers and a secretary.

Heather: Right.

Sam: …and I don’t have the exact figures in front of me. If the COPS Grant is transferrable, it would be, like, $280,000-a-year. If the COPS Grant is not transferrable for four years, it would be three…

Heather: …twenty-something.

Sam: Yeah.”

Again, last night’s discussion was a work session. Any action to be taken will be listed on City Council agendas, which get posted to cityofjohnday.com. We’ll keep you updated.