Message from Chief Scott Russell

Chief's Message:

The community of Woodburn Oregon is a very special place, not only because of the matchless beauty of the Willamette Valley where it is located, but because of the citizens who live here and who frequently demonstrate their resolute support for the men and women of the Woodburn Police Department. Through difficulty or success our citizens have always been at our side.

The Woodburn Police Department traces its roots to 1889 when Amos Beach was sworn in as the first Town Marshall wearing a gold six pointed star, which had been made by his friends, for the purpose of protecting and serving the citizens of the newly formed community. Today, over 120 years later, the department remains committed to serving our friends, the residents of Woodburn.

Key to the success of this service is the maintenance of our own standards and ethics, which can only be maintained through commitment to basic values. Our six Core Values are designed to provide our members with guidance on how to provide quality service to our residents and how we expect to conduct ourselves: Three of the core values look inwardly to what we strive for within ourselves; Integrity, Courage, and Pride. Three look outwardly to what we desire to provide to the public; Respect, Accountability, and Service.

Mindful of these core values we endeavor to fulfill our mission, as stated in our Mission Statement:

"The Woodburn Police Department strives to be a leader in law enforcement by: providing continuous and innovative improvement in service to our community, building partnerships, and valuing our members."

Today the Woodburn Police Department seeks to meet the challenges of policing in the 21st century by engaging our community partners to help us solve problems at their point of origin through both traditional and non-traditional law enforcement. At the same time we must always be prepared to serve mankind by; safeguarding lives and property; protecting all persons against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all people to liberty, equality and justice.

(Signed),
Scott D. Russell, Chief of Police

• Downloadable Message from Chief Scott Russell

Woodburn Police Department Tip of the Month

May's Tip - Recognizing Counterfeit Cashier's Check Scams

Could you recognize a Counterfeit Check? Are you going to post on a website something to sell? Did you receive an "important" e-mail asking you to cash a check and send the money back to an organization, but you get to keep "extra money for your troubles?" These may be a scam using Counterfeit Cashiers Checks. For more information, click on the link below:

• Counterfeit Cashier's Check Scam

April Tip - Recognizing Counterfeit Money

If you suspect someone has given you a counterfeit bill, please contact your local police department and make a report as soon as possible. Here are some easy tips to protect you from financial loss by recognizing counterfeit bills:

1. Feel the texture of the bill; you should be able to feel the raised texture of the ink on a real bill.
2. Compare the bill with another of the same denomination.
3. Look at the printing quality on the bill; real bills will have sharp lines and clear, unbroken borders.  Fake bills may be blurred and dull.
4. Look for colored fibers in the paper; US bills have red and blue fibers in the paper.
5. Check the serial numbers.  Real bills will not have matching numbers and the numbers will be evenly spaced and aligned
6. Check for security features (excepting $1 and $2 bills).
   • Security thread running from top to bottom with the denomination printed in it.
   • Watermark of the image of the person on the bill.
   • Color-shifting ink visible by tilting the bill (bills after 1996)
   • Security thread will glow under a black light.

Sources:

• www.secretservice.gov  U.S. Secret Service, "Know Your Money"
• www.wikihow.com  How to Detect US Counterfeit Money

Neighborhood Watch Program

What Is It?

The CITIZEN'S NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM is the cornerstone of all crime prevention programs. It enlists the active participation of citizens, in cooperation with law enforcement, to reduce burglaries and other neighborhood crimes. Its primary purpose is the protection of property - yours and your neighbors.

Most home burglaries occur during the day and early evening hours when alert neighbors could spot thieves and call police. Concerned citizens are doing just that. They are part of a Neighborhood Watch program. Neighbors looking out for neighbors.

For more information on how you can become part of a neighborhood Watch program, or start one in your neighborhood, please download the information packet below:

Neighborhood Watch Program Information Packet