On September 20 at 5:59 p.m., a Eugene Police Community Service officer was dispatched to take a report of a stolen Honda Accord at Iowa Street and Roosevelt Boulevard, from the victim, in his late 70s. The vehicle was stolen September 20, between 5:00 p.m. and 5:55 p.m., when the victim noticed it missing from the front of his residence. For the CSO’s initial investigation of the stolen vehicle, he was provided with the photo of the car and a possible suspect, later identified as Samuel Luis Reymundo, age 26, no listed address. CSOs serve a vital role for the community’s safety, enhancing response by responding to certain non-emergency calls for service, rather than deploying a sworn police officer.
The CSO completed the stolen vehicle form and explained the recovery process including possible towing and storage fees to the victim. Prior to transmitting the forms, the CSO conducted an area check and ultimately located the involved car at the Seneca Park and Ride parking lot, just southeast of Fred Meyer at W. 11th Avenue and Seneca Road. It was not occupied, but he saw the suspect, Reymundo, making his way toward the vehicle. Reymundo spotted the CSO and made a detour, all the while the CSO notified officers and followed Reymundo at a safe distance. Reymundo entered Little Caesars Pizza and ordered food and a drink, then exited and continued east toward Seneca where he was met by a Patrol officer and sergeant and a K9 officer and detained.
Reymundo was found to be in possession of the victim’s car/house keys. The victim was grateful to be reunited so quickly with the car and the keys, while Reymundo was transported to Lane County Jail on charges of Unauthorized Use Vehicle and Possession Methamphetamine 2 Grams or More.
Case 21-14757
COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS
Community service officers (CSOs) serve a vital role in enhancing response and keeping the community safe. They can respond to certain non-emergency calls for service rather than sending a fully sworn officer. These officers perform public safety support duties involving non-criminal code enforcement such as taking post incident burglary and other reports, public assistance, and support to sworn police officers. Among their duties are responding to non-emergency calls to perform services such as arranging for towing vehicles, retrieving stolen property, providing assistance at routine collision scenes, performing traffic control and traffic hazard removal, and writing citations, either independently or in a support role. CSOs may serve as desk officers and prepare written reports on incidents not requiring a police officer response, such as noncriminal requests for assistance and parking complaints. CSOs also provide information to individuals and businesses on crime prevention topics and public safety regulations, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
The Community Safety Initiative added 10 community service officers to existing fulltime equivalent staffing. The availability of CSOs to respond to nonemergency calls supports EPD’s efforts to handle more calls for service, both emergency and non-emergency. Adding CSOs also increases the timeliness of response and provides an enhanced level of service for callers.