Oregon Liquor Control Commission, Bend Police Department and business owners from downtown Bend gathered June 5 to discuss recent alcohol-related incidents in the downtown core area. This meeting was an effort to partner with all involved to increase community safety in downtown Bend.
Bend Police Chief, Jeff Sale stated the goal is to have compliance from licensees regarding over service of patrons. The primary focus and concern from the group was how to solve disorderly activity in areas outside of the licensed premises. The police stated to have an effect; licensees need to call police when they see unlawful or disorderly patrons in the immediate area of their licensed premises.
“I thought the licensees who attended today’s meeting showed an interest in collaborating to find proactive solutions to disorderly activities and public intoxication in downtown Bend,” says Regional Manager Katie Siefkes. “It’s encouraging that licensees want to partner with OLCC and the Bend Police Department.”
Bend Police and OLCC will be partnering on Friday and Saturday nights this summer in downtown Bend for saturation visits. Police, OLCC and licensees will all be spreading the word regarding the meeting and work on solutions to bring back to the group.
“It’s a team effort to increase community safety in downtown Bend,” Siefkes says. “We’re thankful for all the support we are receiving from our partners.”
