One year ago, Eugene Police’s Street Crimes Unit was created and went into action to target immediate and acute community safety system issues while working toward mission-critical enhancements that will need to be addressed through a longer-term and broader community safety initiative. It has been one amazing year. The eight officers and two sergeants have become an effective work unit and together have made a dynamic impact on our community.
In the first year SCU seized close to $200,000 in drug money, took well more than 100 guns off the streets, and seized several pounds of illegal narcotics. The unit has recovered stolen vehicles, tools and electronics. Additionally, the team worked with partners to shut down close to 10 problem houses in our community, and served more than 20 search warrants with the help of EPD SWAT.
The SCU officers have worked with all the divisions within EPD and established great working relationships with other local, state and federal agencies to include, Oregon State Police, Lane County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, ATF, DEA, US Marshals, and various other task forces. The unit has assisted with and arrested homicide suspects, sex offenders, domestic violence suspects, gang members and other fugitives. SCU has had cases that have been connected to New York and we are currently assisting the DEA with cases that have connections to drug cartels and international shipping of narcotics via the Dark Web.
SCU is looking forward to the next year.
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.