Local News

Prineville Warns Of Uptick In Summer Crime

PRINEVILLE, OR -- Prineville is bracing for an influx of visitors this summer. Police Chief Dale Cummins expects those heading to the Rainbow Family Gathering in Grant County will travel through town over the next 10 days; that event takes place outside John Day, July 1-7. Plus, the city is within the path of totality for the August 21 total solar eclipse.

 

Prineville Police Chief Dale Cummins says, "We only have about 22,000 people in Crook County, currently. We could see three or four times that amount during that time. Anytime you have that kind of population occur, there’s just a certain element of people that come with it that commit crimes." He tells KBND News, "We still have a lot of residents that don’t necessarily lock their doors, or the kids will toss their bikes down in the front yard and run in for dinner and maybe leave them out overnight. And, generally speaking, they’re relatively safe; they’re generally going to be there again in the morning. But, with people that are just wandering through, you never know what you’re going to run into."
 
Chief Cummins says a few precautions will help everyone get through this season safely. "The small town leaving your bike on the front lawn, leaving your generator out somewhere overnight, is just probably not a good idea during these periods, when you have the ability to lock those things up and just reduce your risk." He also suggests locking doors, securing dumpsters and garbage cans to discourage people from going through them and, in general, be aware of suspicious activity.
 
Cummins also warns it could take longer for law enforcement to respond to non-emergency calls, with so many people in town. "We’re going to have a big influx of folks, but the majority of them are going to do the right thing. So, it’ll be a great summer and the businesses are really going to prosper." 
 
 
Eclipse Coverage on KBND is supported in part by Awnings Unlimited. Shade yourself from the sun with Awnings Unlimited at 5541-389-1619 and awningsunlimited.net.

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