By Tillamook County Sheriff Joshua Brown
Another issue I frequently hear about involves properties that have accumulated large amounts of garbage, refuse, and multiple vehicles. I want the community to know that we are aware of these locations and are actively working toward resolution.
In many cases, these situations do not rise to the level of criminal enforcement, or criminal charges would not meaningfully improve compliance. For that reason, the Sheriff’s Office works closely with our County partners, including Solid Waste, Public Works, and Community Development, to address these concerns through county code enforcement.
Tillamook County has established procedures for handling these types of properties. While that process can take time, ordinance enforcement has a much higher likelihood of achieving long-term compliance and meaningful cleanup. I understand the frustration these properties can cause for neighboring residents, and while progress may sometimes feel slow, enforcement efforts are ongoing and active.
Addressing these issues has always been a part of my mission. While it can feel like a never-ending cycle, our deputies are working hard every day to address these problems as they arise. This work takes time, but we remain committed to improving safety, livability, and quality of life throughout our county.
This concludes the three-part roll call series. My hope is that these releases help provide clarity on how and why we approach these complex issues, and reinforce our commitment to public safety, community livability, and responsible use of taxpayer resources.
Part 2