CONTACT / ADVERTISE ON BEACH CONNECTION

Crime Alerts and Scams on Oregon Coast

Published 02/24/2010

Cannon Beach, on the north coast

(Oregon Coast) – Seaside law enforcement is warning people about scams going around the north coast, while the Lincoln County Sheriff's office is now featuring access to online crime updates.

The Seaside Police Department (SPD) has issued some crime alerts that may be relevant to tourists as well as businesses.

Some scams have been going around the north coast as well as the state, including one Seaside restaurant that received an interesting, complex scam on Valentine’s Day.

The restaurant got a call from a relay operator who said they were speaking for someone who could not talk. They were looking into a larger catering order for their son’s wedding, about 150 sandwiches.

Seaside

The conversation soon transitioned into emails, where the person making the order said it would be picked up by a delivery company. The purchaser told the restaurant to tack on an additional $950 to the order for the company – but since the purchaser could not pay right away, the restaurant was told to send the $950 portion of the bill to the delivery company via Western Union.

The purchaser claimed the delivery company could not take credit cards and the purchaser was asking this as a favor from the restaurant so that her son could have this wedding surprise.

The restaurant said no to this, of course, and asked for the name of the delivery company. The purported purchaser then changed their tune and said they would find a restaurant who could pay the delivery company.

The Secretary of State’s Office said some Oregon bars and restaurants have been getting threats from a scammer who demands money in exchange for not filing complaints with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.

Seaside

They are claiming the business has not kept its paperwork up to date with the OLCC. Seaside police said if a business receives such a threat they should call their local police department immediately.

Seaside Police Department is reporting theft and robbery cases increased by seven percent in 2009, largely due to shoplifting cases in town. Over half those cases involved the suspect fighting with store security, which raises the crime level to robbery.

“Shoplifting alone amounted to an increase of 48 cases over 2008,” the department said in a press release. 38 percent of these cases were cleared.”

There was a nine percent increase in the class of crimes involving counterfeiting, minors consuming alcohol, vandalism, simple assault and curfew violations.

Warrenton (photo Seaside Aquarium)

This week, the SPD is reporting several Pepsi vending machines were broken into around Seaside. “It appears the suspect(s) are drilling a hole in near the barrel lock and screwing a bolt into the hold pushing the lock mechanisms out to gain entry,” a spokesman said. “We are asking you to keep an eye on any Pepsi machines in your business area and if you see anything suspicious, call the Police Department immediately.”

Seaside Police Department. 1091 S. Holladay Drive. Seaside, Oregon. 503-738-6311.

Newport, where the Lincoln County Sheriff's office is headquartered

On the central coast, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is joining a growing number of police organizations across North America, including the Lincoln City Police Department, that are utilizing the largest online resource for accurate, up-to-date crime information.  The CrimeReports network offers easy-to-use software tools for law enforcement agencies to understand crime trends and share current neighborhood crime data with the public. 

Nearly 700 agencies across North America are participating in this service.  Citizens can access the crime map and receive email crime alerts at no cost to the subscriber at www.CrimeReports.com.   The information can assist citizens in making informed decisions to help improve the safety of their neighborhood and community.

Lincoln City

Well informed citizens can make better decisions about their personal safety and the safety of their neighborhood and community.  For instance, one or more citizens in a neighborhood may decide their area would benefit from an organized neighborhood watch effort and work to increase or improve neighbor relations.

This program is also a benefit to law enforcement.  This program provides a visual of specific criminal activity occurring in any given area.  Deputies, police officers, and troopers can determine at a glance where their patrolling efforts should occur.

A portable feature offered by CrimeReports available to the public is the new iPhone app created by CrimeReports.com.  The new CrimeReports iPhone app is the only mobile app to feature official, up-to-date crime data directly from more than 600 law enforcement agencies across North America as well as sex offender data for all 50 states.  The app is free to download from the iTunes App Store.

Depoe Bay

The CrimeReports allows users to:

- Filter data by location or address, incident type, and customizable date range.

- View recent neighborhood level crimes on the map or in a list. View national sex offender data alongside crime in your neighborhood.

- Sign-up for free, automated, email crime alerts.

A direct link to CrimeReports will appear on the Sheriff’s Office website in a few days www.lincolncountysheriff.net

You can find out more about the new CrimeReports iPhone app by visiting www.CrimeReports.com/iphone.

More About Oregon Coast .....

LATEST OREGON COAST STORIES

Quake Off California: Tsunami Warning Causes Evacuations, 'Chaos' on South Or... Geology, sciences, south coast Waldport Tree Lighting, Elf Hunt Fire Up Central Oregon Coast This Weekend Waldport events, Newport events Recreational Crabbing Now Back Open Along All of Oregon Coast All commercial crabbing is still delayed, however. Marine science Exploring Gearhart History As You Explore N. Oregon Coast Beaches Gearhart was founded in 1918 and is still pristine, nature-oriented Oregon Coast Gets Heavy Dose of Holly Jolly Follies at Florence Events Center December 6, 7, and 8 with some matinees Jupiter, Planets Put on Show in December - Geminids Now Above Oregon, Washing... Jupiter at its brightest, Geminids peak Dec 13 - 14. Sciences, surf, astronomy Coast Warmer Than Inland Oregon Next Two Days - Fog, Frost Advisories for Valley Incredible sunsets last two days, more coming