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

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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

The Dispatchers at Astoria 9-1-1 rarely had a moment not answering phones this weekend, said Manager Jeff Rusiecki. Looking at the call statistics for the weekend every Agency we dispatch for was busy! Dispatchers answered nearly two-hundred 9-1-1 calls in addition to nearly five-hundred non-emergency. There doesn’t seem to be a pattern other than a lot of people in the County requiring assistance of one type or another. By far the heaviest demand was on Friday and Saturday. Friday saw a spike in non-emergency calls and a higher than normal 9-1-1 count, while Saturday just the opposite occurred.

The inbound call load doesn’t  paint the entire picture as Dispatchers often have to place outbound calls for logistical support of First Responders. In addition to the seven-hundred in-bound calls they made just under three-hundred out-bound.

I could not be prouder of the job they did this weekend, and this is a true testament to the dedication and professionalism they each bring day in and day out.

On July 22nd, 2017 at about 5:15 PM, Officer Nicole Riley stopped an s10 pickup truck for operating without insurance.  The driver of the vehicle did not provided identification and was detained for Failure to Carry and Present a Driver’s License.  The driver was identified as 29 year old Michael Konecny of Astoria.  Konecny was wanted for a parole violation warrant and was found to have a criminally suspended driver’s license.  As a result he was taken into custody.  During a search of Konecny a large amount of cash as well as syringes were found in his possession.  Konecney was lodged at the Clatsop County Jail on the warrant and suspended license charge. 

Officer Riley seized the vehicle Konecny was driving.   Warrenton Police Officer Wirt assisted with his drug K9 “Gabe” who alerted on the vehicle.   Application for a search warrant was made and granted by Clatsop County Circuit Court.

During a search of the vehicle on July 25th, 2017 Officers located several different types of drugs including 2 grams of heroin, 10 grams of methamphetamine, 30 suboxone prescription pills and several other drug related items.

On July 26th, 2017 Konecney was charged with additional crimes including Possession of a Controlled Substance Heroin, Possession of a Controlled Substance Methamphetamine and Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance.  He was also charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance Heroin, Delivery of a Controlled Substance Methamphetamine and Delivery of a Schedule III Controlled Substance.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

On July 19^th, 2017 Officer Duryea of the Astoria Police Department responded to a report that counterfeit twenty dollar bills had been passed at an Astoria business.  Officer Duryea located the suspect vehicle while responding to the business.  Officer Duryea subsequently arrested 29 year old Neil Dowell of Astoria for Forgery in the First Degree and DUII.  Officer Duryea seized the vehicle Dowell was driving and applied for and received a search warrant from Clatsop County Circuit Court for the vehicle. On July 21^st, 2017 Officer Duryea and Officer Riley served the search warrant where additional counterfeit currency as well as a small amount of heroin was located.

Officer Duryea developed information from this incident to obtain additional search warrants including one for a motorhome located at Highway 30 and Ivy Station Road. Officer Duryea and Officer Riley were assisted by the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office in the execution of the search warrant at this location. Additional counterfeit currency was located during the search. Though the resident of the motorhome was not present at the time the search warrant was served. Deputy Baldwin of the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office,  later located and arrested the resident, 38 year old Conrad Allyn Weirup of Astoria, on charges of Forgery I.  Weirup was in the company of 28 year old Kaneeya Pratt of Kelso Washington.  Pratt was initially arrested on outstanding warrants, and was found to be in possession of additional counterfeit currency.  Pratt was charged with Forgery I.

Anyone who believes they have information about this investigation is asked to contact Officer AJ Duryea at the Astoria Police Department, 503-325-4411.

On September 7, 2017 the Astoria Police Department will have officers on duty participating in a pedestrian safety enforcement program in conjunction with Oregon Impact. This enforcement effort will focus on drivers that fail to yield to an officer who is acting as a pedestrian that is crossing at marked as well as unmarked crosswalks.  Additionally, officers will be watching for vehicles that pass another vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.  Officers will be enforcing other traffic violations that are witnessed during this enforcement period.  The fine for failing to stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian or for passing a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian is $260.00.

The goal of the Astoria Police Department in participating in this enforcement is to increase the safety of all pedestrians and drivers in and around the City of Astoria. The enforcement project is paid for by money awarded to the Astoria Police Department by Oregon Impact.

If you have questions about this project please feel free to contact Sergeant Brian Aydt at the Astoria Police Department or by phone at 503-325-4411

On 06/27/2017 at about 8:09 PM Astoria Police Department was dispatched to 18 Spruance road for a report of a robbery that had just occurred. Officers, assisted by the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office, learned that a pizza delivery driver was summoned to a vacant apartment where one of the suspects had previously resided. While at the location the delivery driver was robbed of money through the use of physical force by two individuals. While responding the area, Officers located 20 year old Hart Stone of Astoria.  Stone was positively identified as one of the two subjects involved in the robbery.   Stone was arrested on charges of Robbery I and Burglary I.  An undisclosed amount of money was recovered by officers.   The second suspect is still at large.  He is described as a heavy set Hispanic male adult or a dark skinned white male adult.  The subject is approximately 5’6” tall with dark hair.  The subject was seen wearing Adidas clothing and black Adidas shorts with white stripes down the legs.  He was last seen by several neighbors running from the area.  Anyone who has information regarding this case or the identity of the unidentified suspect is asked to contact Detective Kenny Hansen at 503-325-4411 or by email at khansen@astoria.or.us.