Southern Oregon Law Enforcement Units Prepared to Handle Post-Election Disruption
Following recent fires in ballot drop boxes, Southern Oregon law enforcement units say they are geared to handle any disruptive situation to the national election today, or in the following days.
Recent Drop Box Fires Sparked Extra Vigilance
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) hopes for a smooth election but warns that it is prepared for anything should the opposite prove true.
Sheriff Nate Sickler was referring to the recent fires set in three ballot boxes in Portland and Vancouver when police discovered that incendiary devices had been used to start the flames.
Sickler said the incident sparked much discussion in the community and assured that JCSO would do whatever is necessary to prevent the reoccurrence within its boundaries.
JCSO Says There Will be Voters Who Will Not Like the Outcome of the Election
Sheriff Sickler said there are going to be residents on either side of the political spectrum who are not going to be happy with the outcome of the election.
JCSO has never experienced civil unrest in its jurisdiction in the past and Sickler said the community ‘is above’ that type of behavior and expressed the hope that the trend would hold true in this election.
Saying his staff had been briefed ‘on all things’ concerning the election, Sickler says the JCSO will have extra patrols on the streets for the election, as well as its customary presence at the clerk’s office.
See also: High Oregon Voter Turnout With 4 Days Still To Go Before Election
Law Enforcement Will Have Extra Patrols
The ballot box fires have also impacted the Ashland Police Bureau where Chief Tighe O’Meara confirms that an officer will be guarding the city’s drop box today.
O’Meara confirmed that his department wants to ensure that the election is accessible, fair, and safe for everyone turning out to vote.
O’Meara said all law enforcement agencies will be extra vigilant at polling stations and ballot boxes, adding that they have not received any credible threats.
Josephine County Undersheriff Travis Snyder says his officers are ‘always more vigilant during election season.’ His office has coordinated with other local law enforcement agencies and is prepared to handle any prospective disruptions.
Voters must have their ballots postmarked or deposited into drop boxes by 8 p.m.