OLCC Eugene Regional Manager, Pete O’Rourke; OLCC inspector, Mark Jaehnig; and Eugene Police Sergeant, Terry Fitzpatrick found that the criminal behavior seemed to follow the introduction of the sale of inexpensive, high-alcohol content beverages in the area.
Together, the two agencies developed a creative solution, which was to ask area businesses to voluntarily stop selling fortified beers for a 90-day trial period. The innovative efforts of the OLCC, the Eugene Police Department and local business owners resulted in a 70 percent drop in crime from the same time period the previous year.
“I am so proud of my team and the good work that we’ve been able to accomplish in our city,” said O’Rourke. “Our goal is to work with licensees to help them be successful, while keeping customers and neighborhoods safe. It is the great relationship we have with the Eugene Police Department and licensees that allow us to accomplish great things together.”
