Special enforcement project helps out in The Whit and around Washington Jefferson Park

Over the past week the Eugene Police Department has noted an increase in criminal activity in and around the Whiteaker neighborhood. In response EPD initiated an enforcement project within the neighborhood to mitigate the criminal conduct. During this enforcement project, an individual entered Randall's Automotive, stole some tools, and fled the location with the owner chasing him. Officers assigned to the enforcement project located the suspect, who subsequently fought with officers and punched one officer in the face. The officers were able to successfully arrest the suspect and the officer returned to full duty. The suspect in this case has been identified as Kiefer Nephi Gilfoy, age 29. He was transported to Lane County Jail and lodged on charges that include Assault on a Public Safety Officer, Burglary in the Second Degree, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting Arrest under case 24-11198

The enforcement project has put priority on getting extra patrols in the Whit and specifically around Washington Jefferson and Maury Jacobs Parks. EPD's Housing Support Officers have spent time there during the last couple days and said that it has greatly improved and they were not finding as many issues to deal with, but continued presence would always be helpful to the neighborhood. EPD will continue periodic enforcement projects based on crime trends, community input, and patrol staffing.

Funded by the Community Safety Payroll Tax, EPD's Housing Support Officers focus on some of the pervasive issues that crop up related to homelessness. The officers are dispatched to camping complaints when available. Housing Support Officers receive training on trauma-informed policing, on local social service providers and their capacity, and on the workings of other city services related to the unhoused and code enforcement. They work to gain compliance, and to connect unhoused individuals with services available to them.