Highlights from Neighborhood Meeting with Sgt. Hall – Lake Oswego Police

Special Guest: Sergeant Earl Hall from the LO Police Department 

We had an informative hour-long discussion with Sergeant Hall from the Lake Oswego Police Department at our neighborhood association meeting on Thursday, March 6. Eleven neighbors attended this interactive meeting—wish you could have joined us! We learned a lot.

Police Activity and Community Safety

Sgt. Hall shared information about police activity in our neighborhood, George Rogers Park, and across Lake Oswego. He noted that there is often more going on than what appears in the police blotter. Officers spend significant time preventing crime and responding to calls, and response times in Lake Oswego are generally very fast.

The Lake Oswego Police Department has 43 sworn officers, with three officers dedicated to community policing. These officers focus on non-emergency calls and enforcement of local violations.

Parking enforcement has increased. Parking tickets that used to be $15 are now $60 or more.

Officers are particularly vigilant about:

• Parking in marked handicap spaces

• Dogs off leash in posted areas (such as the George Rogers Park “circle”)

• Speeding

• Distracted driving (especially phone use)

• Driving under the influence

Sgt. Hall reminded us to be careful even in our own neighborhood: “People often drive faster close to home.” If pulled over, officers check driving records and may issue a warning—but often citations are given.

Lake Oswego is widely known as a safe city due to the proactive presence and responsiveness of our police department. As Sgt. Hall noted, “Gangs and criminals often stand out here.”

Home Safety Recommendations

Although our neighborhood has not experienced recent crime incidents, burglaries do occur in Lake Oswego. Sgt. Hall encouraged residents to take these precautions:

• Lock doors

• Use security alarms and cameras

• Install cameras facing entry doors

• Research home security options (he mentioned systems such as SimpliSafe and Ring doorbells)

• Avoid opening the door to people you don’t know; communicate through a doorbell camera if possible

• Post a “No Solicitation” sign from City Hall near your front door (Lake Oswego has an ordinance prohibiting soliciting when these signs are visible)

• Close curtains and blinds when appropriate

• Use lights on timers

• Watch out for neighbors and report suspicious activity

He noted that criminals sometimes ring doorbells to see if anyone is home before attempting a burglary.

When to Call 911

Call 911 if there is:

• Danger to a person

• Damage to property

• Any active emergency

When to Call the Non-Emergency Police Number

Use the non-emergency number for situations such as:

• Fireworks that “go boom” (these are illegal in Lake Oswego and Oregon, especially due to fire danger)

• Vehicles blocking driveways, alleys, or streets

• Trespassing on your property

• Suspicious vehicles parked in the neighborhood

• People digging for artifacts at George Rogers Park (this is a federal offense)

We are to report suspicious vehicles right away. Once it is reported, an officer will come out, check the plates, and tag the vehicle. After 72 hours, additional enforcement steps can be taken.

Handling Neighborhood “Annoyances”

Sgt. Hall asked that neighbors limit non-emergency calls for ongoing minor annoyances.

Instead, our neighborhood association can collect these issues and submit them through the LOPD website tip process or send them to him by email.

Examples of annoyances might include people inflating paddleboards in the street or blocking mailboxes with parked cars. He can work with other city departments (traffic/engineering, park rangers, etc.) to address these issues.

Summer Activity Near George Rogers Park

During hot summer days when George Rogers Park attracts large crowds, Sgt. Hall assigns Community Service Officers (CSOs) to actively patrol both the park and nearby neighborhoods. Our neighborhood often becomes overflow parking for park visitors, and the department plans to continue proactive patrols this summer.

Police Staffing

Like many departments across the country, Lake Oswego Police are experiencing challenges with recruiting and retaining officers. Sgt. Hall explained that out of many applicants, only a small number successfully complete the extensive background checks, psychological assessments, and training required to become an officer. Because of that investment, retaining trained officers is especially important.

Officers typically work 10-hour shifts on day, swing, or night schedules and often work overtime during major holidays such as the Fourth of July.

Sgt. Hall answered many questions from neighbors and left us with this advice:

“Observe and report—and take care of yourself.”

Thank you to Sgt. Hall and the Lake Oswego Police Department for taking the time to meet with our neighborhood and for their continued service to our community.