Sheriff Speaks On Rising Drug Use, Growing County

    Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell visited Umatilla on Monday, speaking at the regular Monday lunch meeting of the Umatilla Kiwanis Club. With over 40 people in attendance, the sheriff spoke on some of the current issues facing the office and Lake County.
    "It's good to be back out in the community," Grinnell said, noting that the regular practice of conducting town hall-style gatherings has been mostly put on hold during the last two years due to the COVID pandemic.
    Citing data that indicates Lake County is the third fasted growing county in the state, Grinnell said the impact of that growth is resulting in new problems that historically have not been a part of the county’s landscape.
    “Drugs. We are seizing kilos of Fentanyl off the street right now, it’s unbelievable. That’s enough to wipe out the county.”
    Grinnell said his department, nearly 800 strong these days, remains focused on getting drugs and dealers off the street, and voiced pleasure with the judicial make-up of the 5th Judicial Circuit, which includes Lake County.
    “The judges in this county do a great job,” he said, favorably comparing Lake’s situation to some nearby counties that in his opinion are too soft on crime.
    Grinnell said Lake County is not a place where locals will see the rumored process of ‘dumping’ illegal immigrants occur. The sheriff’s office has a relationship with federal immigration offices that allow the county to hold illegal immigrants that are taken into custody here.
    Grinnell praised the relationship his office maintains with municipal departments, citing regular meetings and other partnerships that allow the different offices to work together throughout the county to maximize public service.
    “The men and women of public safety do a great job.”
    The office's budget has experienced a strain, however, much like many households. Grinnell said the office is spending $45,000 more per month on fuel this year versus last year.
    “It’s tough right now,” Grinnell said of the increased costs associated with having so many cars on the road at a time when gasoline is hovering around $4 per gallon.
    The sheriff also praised Lake County’s concealed carry permit holders, of which he estimated at 43,000.
    "I support that. Hopefully, that number continues to grow." Grinnell said concealed permit gun holders are often at crime scenes as they happen, and several minutes ahead of law enforcement. They can serve as a de facto first responder to an emergency situation.