Astoria—On October 4th, 2017, officers from the Astoria Police Dept and community members will come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee.  October 4^th is the National Coffee with a Cop Day.

All community members are invited to attend. The event begins at 9am on 10/4/2017 at the Safeway Store in Astoria OR in the seating area near at their North Entrance, 3250 Leif Erickson Dr., Astoria OR. The event will run until 11am.  Please contact Sgt Christopher McNeary with questions: 503 325-4411 or CMcNeary@astoria.or.us.

Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Astoria’s neighborhoods.

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies, or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

Please take this opportunity to come and meet our new Chief of Police, Geoff Spalding. We want people to feel comfortable asking questions, bringing concerns, or simply getting to know our officers.  These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the county, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

09/27/2017:

The investigation into the natural gas leak and fire at Comfort Suites continues. Yesterday, members of the Clatsop County Fire Investigation Team and Oregon State Police Arson Investigators worked at the scene trying to identify the cause of the gas leak and fire.  At this time the ignition source that triggered the fire remains unknown.  Investigators were able to determine that the gas leak was not caused by mechanical failure.  The leak was initiated near the natural gas meter.  Deputy Police Chief Eric Halverson said, “Right now, the concern is that a person intentionally tampered with the natural gas line causing the leak, which led to the fire.  We have called in the Clatsop County Major Crimes team to assist in the investigation, and we are asking for the public’s help.  If anyone was in the area of the Astoria Riverwalk between Safeway and the East Mooring Basin and saw any person in the area, we would like you to call us.”

Anyone who has information regarding the fire is asked to contacted Detective Ken Hansen of the Astoria Police Department at 503-325-4411 or by email at khansen@astoria.or.us

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On 09/25/2017 at about 9:24 p.m. Astoria Fire Department and an Officer from Astoria Police Department were dispatched to the Comfort Suites 3420 Lief Erikson Dr. Astoria for a report of a natural gas leak behind the building. While the fire department was on evacuating the building the gas leak ignited from an unknown source.  An intense fire broke out igniting the hotel triggering a working fire response.  Astoria fire department was able to quickly address the fire after evacuation of the hotel. The fire had minimal penetration into the buildings mechanical room where a sprinkler activated.  A large water supply pipe burst inside the hotel flooding the first floor.  Displaced hotel patrons were relocated to other area hotels.

Multiple agencies responded as mutual aid, including Olney Wulluski Fire Department, Lewis and Clark Fire Department, Warrenton Fire Department, Knappa Fire Department, Medix Ambulance and Clatsop County Sheriff’s Department.

The cause of the original gas leak and ignition source are under investigation. Members from the Clatsop County Fire Investigation Team and Oregon State Police Arson investigators will be meeting this morning to continue the investigation.

Anyone who has information regarding the fire is asked to contacted Detective Ken Hansen of the Astoria Police Department at 503-325-4411 or by email at khansen@astoria.or.us

09/27/2017:

The investigation into the natural gas leak and fire at Comfort Suites continues. Yesterday, members of the Clatsop County Fire Investigation Team and Oregon State Police Arson Investigators worked at the scene trying to identify the cause of the gas leak and fire.  At this time the ignition source that triggered the fire remains unknown.  Investigators were able to determine that the gas leak was not caused by mechanical failure.  The leak was initiated near the natural gas meter.  Deputy Police Chief Eric Halverson said, “Right now, the concern is that a person intentionally tampered with the natural gas line causing the leak, which led to the fire.  We have called in the Clatsop County Major Crimes team to assist in the investigation, and we are asking for the public’s help.  If anyone was in the area of the Astoria Riverwalk between Safeway and the East Mooring Basin and saw any person in the area, we would like you to call us.”

Anyone who has information regarding the fire is asked to contacted Detective Ken Hansen of the Astoria Police Department at 503-325-4411 or by email at khansen@astoria.or.us

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

On 09/25/2017 at about 9:24 p.m. Astoria Fire Department and an Officer from Astoria Police Department were dispatched to the Comfort Suites 3420 Lief Erikson Dr. Astoria for a report of a natural gas leak behind the building. While the fire department was on evacuating the building the gas leak ignited from an unknown source.  An intense fire broke out igniting the hotel triggering a working fire response.  Astoria fire department was able to quickly address the fire after evacuation of the hotel. The fire had minimal penetration into the buildings mechanical room where a sprinkler activated.  A large water supply pipe burst inside the hotel flooding the first floor.  Displaced hotel patrons were relocated to other area hotels.

Multiple agencies responded as mutual aid, including Olney Wulluski Fire Department, Lewis and Clark Fire Department, Warrenton Fire Department, Knappa Fire Department, Medix Ambulance and Clatsop County Sheriff’s Department.

The cause of the original gas leak and ignition source are under investigation. Members from the Clatsop County Fire Investigation Team and Oregon State Police Arson investigators will be meeting this morning to continue the investigation.

Anyone who has information regarding the fire is asked to contacted Detective Ken Hansen of the Astoria Police Department at 503-325-4411 or by email at khansen@astoria.or.us