Police report shows spike in certain crime categories; local business donates AEDs to patrol cars

The Sweet Home Police Department reported an increase in some crime categories year to date and announced a donation of six automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to patrol cars from Jay and Teresa Bertram of Bertram’s Metals working through the Albany Safety Foundation.

The department reported a substantial year-to-date increase in some categories it tracks and noted that changes to Oregon state drug laws that took effect in the past year may have shifted certain offenses from violations to misdemeanors, contributing to higher reported counts. The presenter said a more detailed breakdown of which offenses contributed to the rise was not provided at the meeting.

Police staff also reported the donation of six AEDs; the department said the devices are ready for delivery and thanked Jay and Teresa Bertram for the contribution. Staff noted that one officer had applied for a grant for AEDs and that the donation arrived independently through the foundation and the donor.

No formal actions were taken; the council expressed appreciation for the donation and the department’s community outreach work.