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Public Notice: Addressing the Un-Housed Encampment North of Malaga-Alcoa Highway

**Chelan County Sheriff's Office Public Notice**

Public Notice: Addressing the Un-Housed Encampment North of Malaga-Alcoa Highway

The Sheriff’s Office is aware of the un-housed encampment located north of Malaga-Alcoa Highway near Hedges Road. We want to extend our gratitude to the community members who have brought this situation to our attention, just as many have done for similar camps located throughout the county.

We fully acknowledge the concern surrounding this encampment and align with the community’s frustration. As your Sheriff, I want to make it clear we will not accept this as the norm within Chelan County.

While other encampments have been addressed swiftly in other parts of the county, this particular situation appears to be the result of displacement caused by earlier efforts of our office to clear similar encampments from BNSF property in that area.

The current property in question has been found to be owned by Chelan County, and currently, there are no rules in place that authorize the Sheriff’s Office to take action. The Chelan County Board of County Commissioners has not yet adopted a resolution to address the removal of un-housed individuals from county owned property in compliance with recent legal standards, such as the Grants Pass Oregon Supreme Court ruling.

In response to this, we are actively working with the Chelan County Prosecutor’s Office to draft a resolution for the Board of County Commissioners to review. If this proposed resolution is approved, it will grant the Sheriff’s Office the legal authority to contact and lawfully remove these individuals from the property.

Our plan includes collaborating with Public Works to clean the property, working with Chelan County Coordinated Entry and our Behavioral Health Unit to connect displaced individuals with available resources. Detectives and Patrol teams will also be called upon to engage any potential issues found at the location.

Again, we understand and share the community's frustrations. However, it is essential to respect the constitutional rights of all individuals while we carry out our duties. We are committed to resolving this issue as quickly as possible and look forward to the proposed resolution being reviewed and approved.

Respectfully,
Sheriff Mike Morrison

 

SEE FULL PUBLIC NOTICE

Last Updated: 08/31/2024 01:00 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 25
    Sep 2024
    06:30 PM - 09:00 PM

    Planning Commission - September 25, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 18
    Sep 2024
    01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - September 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    Chelan County Administrative Building or via zoom
  • 04
    Sep 2024
    09:00 AM - 10:00 AM

    Hearing Examiner - September 4, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    Chelan County Administrative Building or via zoom
  • 04
    Sep 2024
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Chelan County Civil Service Commission

    Posted by: Human Resources

    The Chelan County Civil Service Commission will be meeting on September 4, 2024.

    Chelan County Commissioners Office, ES Conference Room