Latest news with #SalemPolice
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
Will Salem police or fire respond to illegal firework calls? What to know
Salem Police and Salem Fire Department will not respond to calls for illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July unless something is on fire or there are indicators of other criminal activity. Salem Police senior officer and spokesperson Mark Jantz said Salem Police will respond to reports of crimes like reckless burning, arson and recklessly endangering another person. "Because of the number of fireworks that are in use during the holiday, Salem Police respond to calls of dangerous criminal activity," Jantz said. Salem Fire spokesperson Brian Carrara said Salem Fire will respond to calls "if things are on fire." The city of Salem asked residents to only call 911 for fireworks related incidents involving injuries or fires. In the past three years, Salem fire has responded to 12 fires caused by fireworks on the Fourth of July. Salem Fire responded to three fires in 2024 that were caused by fireworks. Two of those fires were brush fires. In 2023, Salem Fire responded to five fires caused by fireworks, including a building fire and a vehicle fire. Salem Fire responded to four fireworks-related fires in 2022. Two were brush or grass fires. Legal fireworks include ones that don't explode, leave the ground or behave in an uncontrolled manner and move less than 12 feet on the ground. These include fountains, flitter sparklers and ground spinners. Fireworks are not permitted in Salem city parks. Legal fireworks can be purchased from licensed sellers in Salem until July 6. There are 33 licensed retail locations in Salem. Fireworks that are illegal without a permit are fireworks that fly, explode or behave unpredictably. Roman candles, bottle rockets and firecrackers are illegal without a permit from the Oregon State Fire Marshal. Illegal fireworks can be reported to the non-emergency dispatch line at 503-588-6123, Carrara said. The use or possession of illegal fireworks without a permit is a Class B misdemeanor and can result in a fine of up to $2,500. Modifications to illegal fireworks including using tape or putting them in a small container can lead to overpressure and the creation of a destructive device, which is a Class C felony. Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at ifunk@ or on X at @isabeldfunk This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Will Salem police or fire respond to illegal firework calls on July 4?
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
11 people wounded in mass stabbing attack at Oregon church
A violent rampage erupted Sunday evening at a homeless shelter in Salem, Oregon, leaving 11 people stabbed just across the street from the city's police headquarters, according to authorities. The attack erupted around 7:15 p.m. at the Union Gospel Mission's recently opened Men's Mission, a 150-bed facility located directly across from the Salem Police Department. Among the wounded is at least one staff member, police confirmed. The suspect, who is now in custody, had stayed at the shelter the night before and was attempting to check in again when the violence broke out. Officials said the man began fighting just as he was supposed to hand his belongings over. 'Something … set him off, and he evidently had a knife in his bag,' said Craig Smith, Executive Director of the Union Gospel Mission, in an interview with NBC News. 'The whole incident is on video,' he added, noting the footage has been turned over to investigators. All 11 victims were taken to a local hospital with what police described as 'varying types of injuries.' Their current conditions have not been disclosed. The shelter, which opened in 2021 to replace the organization's aging 1960s-era facility, was designed to serve the city's growing homeless population. Footage shared on social media appears to show the suspect lying on the pavement as officers take him into custody. 'This is a very fresh incident, and detectives are gathering the facts,' said Angela Hedrick, a spokesperson for the Salem Police Department. Authorities have not yet released the suspect's identity or specified what charges he may face. Founded in 1952 by a group of local Christian businessmen, Union Gospel Mission was established to serve the city's homeless population.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Suspect in custody following mass stabbing in Oregon; 11 hosptialized
June 2 (UPI) -- Authorities in Oregon said a suspect was in custody after 11 people were reportedly hospitalized following a mass stabbing in downtown Salem. The Salem Police Department said in a statement published to X on Sunday night that officers were investigating "a stabbing incident" involving multiple victims who were transported for medical care. "The suspect is in custody," the statement said. The suspect has not yet been identified. Salem police spokesperson Angela Hedrick told the Statesman Journal that 11 victims were suffering from various injuries and had all been transported to Salem Hospital. Multiple roads in downtown Salem were closed for the investigation but were reopened a few hours later. This is a developing story.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Multiple people injured in stabbing in Salem, Oregon, police say
Multiple people were injured Sunday night in a stabbing in downtown Salem, Oregon, local police said. "The suspect is in custody," the Salem Police Department said in a short update posted to social media. The incident occurred at Union Gospel Mission, a men's shelter, police officials told ABC News affiliate KATU, adding that 11 people were reportedly transported to Salem Health hospital for medical care. Police have not yet released official information about the number of injuries. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Multiple people injured in stabbing in Salem, Oregon, police say originally appeared on
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Salem Police cancels Community Police Academy amid budget concerns
Salem Police will not hold its annual Community Police Academy in April after canceling the program due to budget constraints. The program, which aims to teach community members about police services, procedures and policies, was launched in the mid-1990s, spokesperson Angela Hedrick said. The 14-week course, which was originally held twice a year, was reduced in October to a once-a-year eight week program as part of "ongoing efficiency measures," Hedrick said. The next course was scheduled to begin in April and included weekly three-hour classes every Wednesday evening in addition to two Saturday classes. Crime scene investigation, emergency vehicle operations, scenario-based training and the traffic control unit were among topics that would be covered. Hedrick said the Community Police Academy is one of the department's longest-running community engagement programs and is popular with the community. She said the department hopes to bring back the program in the new fiscal year but is unsure if that will be possible. "(C)easing the program is a direct result of required cost reductions by the City of Salem due to the growing budget concerns," Hedrick said in an email. Salem is currently facing a $13.8 million budget shortfall. Salem Police disbanded its behavioral health unit and its community action unit at the start of this year, citing the need to maintain critical patrol staffing levels. No other resources are available for people to learn the lessons taught at the academy, Hedrick said. "That was what was special about the program—it offered the opportunity for residents to learn directly from staff," she said. "We have no other program like it." Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at ifunk@ or on X at @isabeldfunk This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem Police cancels Community Police Academy amid budget concerns
