Let the countdown begin! Eugene, better known as “Track Town, USA” attracts elite athletes and top track events, including the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field. With the Trials just days away, scheduled to begin June 18 – 27, at Eugene’s famous and newly-renovated Hayward Field, the Eugene Police Department would like to remind residents and guests of the anticipated crime increase everywhere, not just the vicinity of the Trials.
With crowds anticipated at the event, the Eugene Police Department is partnering with the City of Eugene, Lane County, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), TrackTown USA, University of Oregon, and The Oregon Fusion Center to remind the public that everyone plays a role in keeping communities safe while highlighting the nationwide “If You See Something, Say Something®” campaign.
“If You See Something, Say Something®” is the hallmark slogan of a nationwide campaign launched by DHS in conjunction with the U.S. Dept. of Justice's Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative, which serves as an example of how residents working together with law enforcement can make a difference to protect their communities.
The "If You See Something, Say Something®" campaign respects individuals' privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties by emphasizing behavior, rather than appearance, in identifying suspicious activity.
Our area will be a target-rich environment for criminals due to the increase in tourists, local residents on vacation, as well as all the distractions and congestion that a large event of this nature attracts. You can actually help protect your property as well as others.
The Eugene Police Department is asking you to be alert, take every precaution and please report any suspicious behavior or Unauthorized Entries of Motor Vehicles. Above all, EPD hopes you thoroughly enjoy the Trials…as well as everything our beautiful Emerald City offers.
THEFT FROM VEHICLE TIPS:
Theft from a vehicle is one of the most common crimes in our area. In almost all cases, the victims had left property visible in the vehicle. There is one clear message, if you want to keep someone from breaking into your vehicle, don't leave anything visible inside the vehicle! If you will follow this one simple rule, you will likely not become a victim of this crime.
- Don’t park and then put something in your vehicle’s trunk and then walk away from the vehicle. If someone saw you put it in, they can usually access your trunk by breaking into your vehicle and accessing the trunk release. Instead, put the item in the trunk before arriving at your location. This is especially important at hiking/running locations, sporting events and shopping malls.
- Secure vehicles by rolling up the windows and locking doors (even on a hot day – it is better to take a few minutes to air out a hot car than to discover a theft)
If you happen to observe suspicious activity, or any criminal behavior, please contact police at the earliest convenience.