By actively focusing on juvenile crime prevention, we are addressing a major portion of the property crime problem in Oregon. Further, our system for juvenile detention and shelter care lacks adequate capacity. That is why I am working with juvenile directors across Oregon and the Oregon Youth Authority to detail a policy that allows us to make this needed investment. The second element of a plan to improve community safety involves increasing the number of law enforcement officers in our communities. For the state, this means providing additional State Police troopers.
More troopers means more help for local law enforcement.
For example, through Cooperative Policing Agreements, state police can agree with a county sheriff to patrol specific rural highways. This allows the reassignment of local resources to other needed areas. Our state police help keep our roads and highways safe. Today, there are more drivers, driving more miles at higher speeds than ever before. Unfortunately, we ve let the number of patrol troopers drop from 530 in 1979 to 355 today.