The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office took a stand against retail crime on SE 82nd Avenue with a collaborative mission that led to 22 arrests. This operation, held on Thursday, October 10, targeted several retailers along SE 82nd Avenue and Johnson Creek Boulevard.
The 10-hour sweep was a partnership among various local law enforcement agencies, including the Portland Police Bureau and police departments from Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, West Linn, and Canby. According to a report from Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, during the mission, officers contacted suspects as they exited stores, resulting in the recovery of stolen goods exceeding $1,400 and the resolution of 17 outstanding warrants.
This mission was not an isolated event; it’s part of a broader effort funded by the Organized Retail Theft Grant Program. An initiative stemming from Oregon Senate Bill 900, passed in 2023. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office received a grant in excess of $685,000 to aid the staffing and equipment purchases needed for such operations.
These anti-theft operations have been a fixture since 2022, as local law enforcement teams with area businesses to curtail retail theft—a crime that can cut into the vendors' profits and elevate prices for consumers. With the backing of the grant program, more missions like this are in the planning stages for Clackamas County.