Message from Chief Schoenfeld - September 15, 2020

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

A MESSAGE FROM CHIEF SCHOENFELD:

YOUR CITY IS WELL PROTECTED MOLALLA!

Since the evacuation, I am sure you have noticed we have enhanced our patrols with the assistance from outside law enforcement agencies. This has afforded us the ability to flood your neighborhoods with police from:

Canby Police Department
Oregon City Police Department
Lake Oswego Police Department
Gladstone Police Department
West Linn Police Department
Milwaukie Police Department
Hubbard Police Department
Oregon State Police
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office

The offers to come out and help our City from these agencies has been amazing and these offers continue to come in. I cannot show my gratitude enough. The other area I cannot express enough gratitude towards is how our strong and resilient community stepped up. How you all have helped each other and remained patient during this crisis. I will be the first to admit that I never dreamed my department or our City staff and employees would ever be faced with the evacuation on the entire town, but with the way resources came into to help and the way this wonderful community reacted, evacuation was accomplished quickly and safely.

Please know that we are not completely out of this yet. The City remains in a Level-2 evacuation status. You must stay alert and monitor wildfire status through the Clackamas County website at www.clackamas.us/wildfires so that if fire conditions change, you can react appropriately within a significant timeframe.

As more fire resources continue to come into the surrounding areas, please try to avoid traveling in and around the areas most effected. Give our fire professionals the space needed to do their extremely vital jobs.

Your police department will continue with enhanced patrols with the help of our local law enforcement agencies. During this crisis, we have not experienced a spike in crime within the City limits due to a heavy law enforcement presence. We encourage our community not to get involved by taking matters into their own hands when it comes to observed suspicious activity and crime. Please continue to report all suspicious and criminal activity. Keep a watchful eye and be a good witness.

The Molalla Police Department business office remains open currently, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm to answer your questions and direct you to resources.

We are out here around the clock and remain dedicated to the service and protection of this wonderful community!

Chief Frank S. Schoenfeld
Molalla Police Department