Category Archives: Press Releases

information about incidents around Clatsop county

Astoria Police Department Investigates Stabbing on Halsey Road

Officers were dispatched to a stabbing at 20 Halsey Road at 7:46 P.M. on 01/27/2023.  Upon arrival, they learned that the victim had been transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital by a friend prior to their arrival, and the suspect fled West on Route 30 in a vehicle.  A responding Clatsop County Sheriff’s Deputy observed the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop.  The suspect took off at a high rate of speed, passing vehicles in a reckless manner, and the Deputy initiated a vehicle pursuit after the suspect failed to yield.  The suspect lost control near Svenson Market Road, left the road, came to stop in a ravine, and fled on foot.  He was apprehended a short time later by the Deputy, and no other vehicles were damaged in the incident. The suspect was transported to the Hospital as a precaution and medically cleared prior to being transported to the County jail, where he assaulted a Clatsop County deputy.

The Clatsop County Major Crimes Team was activated, and Astoria Police Detective A.J. Duryea is the lead investigator.  The investigation has revealed that the suspect, 31-year-old Daniel Smith of Astoria, was involved in a physical altercation outside his residence with a neighbor.  The neighbor received lacerations and stab wounds to his head and neck and has been released from the hospital.

The investigation is ongoing and the following charges have been filed:

  • Assault II
  • Felony Evading a Peace Officer
  • Misdemeanor Eluding
  • Reckless Driving
  • Reckless Endangering X’s 5
  • Criminal Mischief II
  • Menacing
  • Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Felony Assault on a Peace Officer

The Astoria Police Department would like to thank the Warrenton Police Department, Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office, Seaside Police Department, and the Oregon State Police for their assistance.

Please call Detective Duryea at 503-325-4111 if you have any additional information.

Astoria Emergency Communications Center fielding numerous calls due to weather related events.

Astoria Emergency Communications Center is fielding numerous calls due to weather related emergencies including downed trees, power lines and highway obstructions.  The public is reminded that calls to 911 should be for emergencies only.  The dispatch center has been fielding a number of information requests including calls related to the length of power outages, road closures and for other information.  These calls interfere with dispatchers’ ability to answer the multitude of emergencies we are actively responding to.  Requests for information about power outages and road closures should be directed to the appropriate authority, not the Emergency Communications Center.

When possible, the public is encouraged to avoid travel at this time due to a number of road closures and road hazards occurring in the county.  The public should expect highway delays as responders are actively responding weather related emergencies across the county.

 

Astoria Police Seek information related to fatal traffic crash involving bicyclist

On 11/29/2022 at 5:33 PM Astoria Police Department responded to a report of a bicyclist who had been struck by a vehicle in the area of 11 W. Marine Drive.  The cyclist was deceased upon the officers arrival.  At this time the investigation of the crash is ongoing and is being led by the Astoria Police Department with the assistance of the Clatsop County Major Crimes Team.  The victim has not been identified and the scene investigation is still underway. Currently it is believed that a vehicle traveling East bound in the lane closest to the curb struck the cyclist causing significant head trauma and did not remain at the scene.  Anyone traveling in the area at the time who may have witnessed this crash or who has information related to the crash are requested to contact Astoria Police Detective A.J. Duryea at 503-325-4411 or by email at aduryea@astoria.or.us.

Traffic Signals Not Working?

Traffic signals provide clear indication to drivers when it is safe to stop, go or slow down. In rare cases, a traffic signal may become inoperable, or the device may flash certain colors. If you approach an intersection and see the traffic signal is not functioning normally, follow these rules:

Flashing Red: If the traffic signal is flashing red, treat it as a stop sign and come to a complete stop at the intersection. Look carefully in all directions before proceeding. Other directions may have a different type of signal indication.

Flashing Yellow: If the traffic signal is flashing yellow, proceed cautiously through the intersection. You should also slow down and observe cross streets to determine if it is safe to proceed.

Inoperable (No Lights): If the traffic signal is completely inoperable, treat it as a 4-Way STOP. Remember that other drivers may not know how to react when a traffic signal is inoperable. Always stay alert and proceed cautiously through an intersection. No matter the condition of a traffic signal, you should always observe cross streets and other drivers to make sure you can proceed safely.

If the signal is on the state highway, you can call ODOT at1 (888) 275-6368. Otherwise call the Police Non-Emergency Line at (503) 325-4411.

Astoria Emergency Communications to resume operations in Astoria on May 9th, 2022

The City of Astoria has reached the end of the agreement for the combined dispatch center between the City of Astoria and the City of Seaside.  Astoria dispatchers will be resuming operation from the Astoria Emergency Communications Center effective at 6:00 AM on Monday May 9th.  The combined dispatch merger between Astoria and Seaside went into effect in November of 2021 with the goal of increasing staffing numbers for Astoria.  While some progress was made, it will take a few more months to realize the desired minimum number of staff for full operations.  In the meantime, Seaside has agreed to temporarily assign a certified dispatcher to Astoria on a full-time basis until a trainee nearing completion, is released to full status.  Astoria Emergency Communications Center will continue hiring efforts and still needs to hire and train 5 additional staff to meet the center’s authorized staffing.

“As we continue to address our staffing needs, our main priority continues to be to answering emergency 911 calls and managing our emergency responders in the field” said Interim Police Chief Eric Halverson. “In circumstances where our dispatchers are handling those types of calls, there may be delays in the length of time it takes for us to answer non-emergency lines. We would request the public’s patience if that is the case”, he said.

 

Astoria Police announce the implementation of a Community Resource Officer

The Astoria Police Department is pleased to announce it has recently filled a new position called Community Resource Officer. The Community Resource Officer is a police officer whose responsibilities will be to focus specifically on concerns from both Astoria businesses and residents, related to community livability issues.  Some of those issues have been: abandoned shopping carts, derelict vehicles, camping, abandoned property, trash, public urination, and disorderly conduct.  The City of Astoria moved forward on support for this position based on the success that other cities have had when a specific officer was assigned to work on these complex issues.  The main focus of this position will be to address these concerns with a dedicated officer that will be able to be proactive, ensure continuity, and provide focus to the specific community concerns.

Senior Officer Kenny Hansen has been selected for this role.  The Community Service Officer will be partnering with a Clatsop Behavioral Health, Mobile Crisis Clinician, as part of this response.   Senior Officer Hansen has been with the Astoria Police Department for over 30 years and is a lifelong resident of Astoria.  He has served as the department’s liaison to Astoria’s unsheltered population since 2015.   

2019 Missing Astoria Woman’s remains located.

On March 10, 2022 a report was made to the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office about possible human skeletal remains that had been found on Lois Island.  This island is located in the Columbia River between Tongue Point and the John Day river outlet.

Detectives from the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and Astoria Police Department, along with the Clatsop County Medical Examiner responded to investigate.  During the investigation it was determined that the remains were human, and had been in that location for some time.

The Oregon State Police Medical Examiner’s Office has positively identified the remains as those of  Maya Sanders, who was 29 years old when she was reported missing on March 12, 2019.

During the investigation of Ms. Sanders’ disappearance in 2019; it was determined that the last known location of Ms. Sanders was in the North Tongue Point area.  Lois Island is near Ms. Sanders’ last known location.  At this time there is nothing in the investigation to suggest that Ms. Sanders was a victim of criminal activity.

Additional information is linked below:

http://astoria.response.news/missing-person-investigation-update/

 

 

Astoria Emergency Communications Center non-emergency lines will be down for maintenance on 02/10/2022 From 6AM – 7AM

The City of Astoria phone system will be down on Thursday February 10th, 2022 between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM for routine maintenance.  This outage will also affect the non-emergency communications lines for Astoria Emergency Communications Center.  The lines will be back in service no later than 7:00 AM.  People wishing to contact  Astoria Police Department may temporarily call  Seaside Police Department at 503-738-6311 during the outage.  If you have an emergency, 911 lines will be in service and operational.

Astoria Emergency Communications Center non-emergency lines will be down for maintenance on 02/03/2022 From 5 AM – 7AM

The City of Astoria phone system will be down on Thursday February 3rd, 2022 between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM for routine maintenance.  This outage will also affect the non-emergency communications lines for Astoria Emergency Communications Center.  The lines will be back in service no later than 7:00 AM.  People wishing to contact  Astoria Police Department may temporarily call  Seaside Police Department at 503-738-6311 during the outage.  If you have an emergency, 911 lines will be in service and operational.