The Federation of Oregon Parole and Probation Officers represents 35 deputies in Marion County. We feel that this levy not only makes sense, but also is necessary to help preserve public safety in our community.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for providing law enforcement services in the county, operating the Marion County Jail and providing Parole and Probation services throughout the county. However, due to decreases in state funding, these services are being steadily reduced.

Parole and Probation services more than 3,500 corrections clients in Marion County, of which approximately 500 are supervised on the sex offender caseloads.

• The average general caseload is in excess of 75 corrections clients per deputy.

• The average sex offender caseload is in excess of 80 corrections clients per deputy.

• The average domestic violence caseload is in excess of 90 clients per deputy.

[Studies conducted by the Oregon Department of Correction s recommend a ration of 60 to 1.]

Although there is a decrease in state funding, forecasts published by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services Office of Economic Analysis estimate a statewide increase of 8.3% in the number of felony probations and an increase of 10.1% in the number of supervised parole and post-prison cases by July 2005.

This levy would give the Marion County Sheriff’s Office the ability to:

• Hire 10 Parole and Probation Deputies and support staff, with the goal of increasing community-based monitoring of high-risk clients

• Hire 24 Patrol Deputies and support staff

• Hire 22 Corrections Deputies, increasing the bed capacity at the Marion County Jail and re-opening a portion of the Marion County Work Center.

The Federation of Oregon Parole and Probation Officers urges you to vote YES on the Basic 4-year Law Enforcement Levy and YES to public safety.

Mark Jones

Marion County

President, FOPPO

(This information provided by
Mark A. Jones, FOPPO)