GP Police and Firefighters Provided Strong Layer of Protection for the Community

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters provided a strong layer of protection for the community last week. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 532 calls for service along with 220 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 40 arrests, 36 citations, 42 warnings and four highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 51 traffic stops in the city and they made 17 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) made a total of eight contacts with potential troublemakers, generating two arrests, three warnings and three citations for trespassing. Due to the current lawsuit and restraining order, the CRT team was limited in its enforcement of public camping restrictions. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 102 calls last week including 54 for emergency medical service, three for reports of fire or smoke, 20 lift assists, four rescue situations, five assists to other agencies and seven false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,037 emergency calls last week. ...Read more

New GP Public Safety Advisory Committee to Hold First Meeting on Tuesday Morning

The Grants Pass Public Safety Advisory Committee will hold their very first meeting tomorrow morning. The newly-formed committee will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Grants Pass Police Department Training Room, located at 726 NE 7th Street. Committee members include Tom Brandes, William Lovelace, Terry Hopkins, Alan Hartford, Jay Meredith and Matthew Rosen. Liaison members are Grants Pass Police Captain Tyler Lee and Grants Pass Fire Battalion Chief Joe Hyatt. The purpose of the committee is to advise the City Council on matters pertaining to community engagement, research and analysis, community facilitation and resource identification. The committee will help to facilitate communication between the public and the City about public safety planning matters. Action items for this first meeting include electing a Chair and Vice-Chair. There will also be a public comment period in which each speaker will be given three minutes to address the Committee. ...Read more

National Weather Service Posts Wind Advisory for Much of Southwest Oregon Region

The National Weather Service has posted a Wind Advisory for southwest Oregon. The Wind Advisory for Josephine, Jackson, eastern Curry and eastern Douglas counties runs from 10 a.m. today until 1 a.m. Tuesday. Southwest winds from 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts up to 45 miles per hour are expected. Stronger wind gusts are possible within thunderstorms during the late morning and afternoon hours today. Weather experts say gusty winds will blow around and damage unsecured objects. Tree damage is likely and power outages may occur as a result of downed limbs. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Use extra caution during the advisory period. Secure light outdoor objects to prevent damage or loss. ...Read more