Reduced marine patrols a result of federal cuts in Columbia County

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public that the law enforcement agency has been forced to reduce its marine patrol unit for what officials said is a direct result of federal cuts.

According to Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley, the cuts resulted from Oregon’s status as a sanctuary state, drawing the scrutiny of federal officials.

“One result of this designation has been the withholding of certain federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions — including Oregon — which is now having very real impacts at the local level,” Sheriff Pixley said in an open letter posted on Facebook on Wednesday.

Pixley said the Oregon State Marine Board was forced to reduce its budget by 30% in the wake of the loss of federal funding.

“This reduction directly affects essential services such as boating safety, enforcement, and public access across the state,” the sheriff said.

For Columbia County, that translates to having to shift its full-time marine patrol program to a seasonal schedule.

“This will likely lead to longer response times for calls on the water and will directly impact public safety for those who live, work, and recreate along our waterways,” Sheriff Pixley said.

Pixley said he wanted to communicate this reduction in service to the community to make it clear the cuts weren’t made at the county level but were the result of “broader state policies that carry federal consequences.”

“While we are committed to doing everything we can with the resources available, we believe our residents deserve transparency about the source of these challenges,” the sheriff said.

He encouraged people to stay informed and make their voices heard by speaking to state lawmakers moving forward.