Response to public tip leads to search warrant service
by Street Crimes Unit in the West University area
Community members working with police can be an especially effective crime-fighting tool. Today’s search warrant of an apartment in the West University area is an example.
On March 14, SCU received a tip from an area business person regarding frequent, short-stay traffic in the area near some apartments in the 1500 block of High Street. The business person was able to provide images from video surveillance that showed hand-to-hand transactions that appeared drug-related. Since that time, SCU followed up on this tip and conducted several surveillance operations of the area. SCU was able to identify persons of interest as well as an apartment that appeared involved. SCU officers then observed hand-to-hand transactions and made stops of people leaving the area who were found to be in possession of illegal narcotics. The team applied for and was granted a search warrant by a Lane County Circuit Court Judge.
Today, May 3, at 7 a.m., the SCU, with assistance of EPD SWAT and EPD K9 served the warrant, for an apartment in the 1500 block of High Street. They found supporting evidence of heroin drug delivery and possession, as well as a felon possessing firearms. The SCU is continuing to investigate and will provide more information once the case is further along.
Eugene Police Street Crimes Unit
The SCU has been focusing on prolific offenders, who are identified through intelligence-based policing, public tips and other sources. They have been proactively responding across the city to quality of life issues as they arise, using all available resources and partners such as community groups, neighborhood associations and city services.
The unit makes a dynamic difference in a variety of public safety issues including on emerging crimes and neighborhood livability issues. This team creates capacity within the organization to address and solve problems throughout the city of Eugene. SCU is a tangible outcome of the one-time,18-month bridge funding by Eugene City Council that is dedicated to targeting immediate and acute community safety system issues while working toward mission-critical enhancements that need to be addressed through a longer-term and broader community safety initiative. The unit currently consists of a lieutenant, a sergeant and four officers. The team will expand to include another sergeant and four additional officers as staffing allows.