Scappoose resident alleges missing police reports, raises swatting and records concerns

A Scappoose resident told the City Council on Jan. 6 that the city violated public-records rules and that police incident reports are missing for at least two episodes she describes as “swatting” of her child.

Alicia Hedges of Scappoose said she filed a public-records request on Dec. 2 and that the city did not acknowledge the request within the required timeframe. She said records that were produced omitted reports she expected: a September police contact after a bullying complaint, a Sept. 12 incident she described as a swatting at the high school, and another swatting on Dec. 24. “I did file a police report on Sept. 9... he called me within five minutes. Super responsive. It was great,” Hedges said. “Within three days of that call, my son was swatted at the high school. That day, there was no police report for that incident.”

Hedges said she requested body-camera footage and was told by the city manager that she would need to take the matter to the courthouse. She also described feeling dismissed by an officer she identified as Officer Barnes when she sought to press charges after receiving a business-text solicitation for illicit massage work on Dec. 29. Hedges told the council she was questioned about a prior, different massage business and said the officer told her he needed to check the ordinance; she said she felt she had to prove that commercial solicitation via text could be illegal.

Mayor Joseph A. Backus told Hedges city staff would follow up with the city manager and Chief Keith Lewellen. “I'll talk with Ben and Chief Llewellyn and see what we can come up with on that one,” Backus said during the public-comment period.

Police Chief Keith Lewellen addressed the council later in the meeting and described how the department handles false reports that trigger large police responses (commonly called “swatting”). Lewellen said officers coordinate with schools and try to verify threats before a full tactical response and that the department is conducting internal work including background checks and hiring to strengthen staffing. “A lot of different parties [are] involved,” Lewellen said, offering to speak with members of the public about what can and cannot be shared while investigations or personnel matters are ongoing.

Hedges asked about transparency on redaction and access to body-camera footage; she said the city manager had directed her to the courthouse to seek footage. The council did not take formal action on the specific public-records request during the meeting but Mayor Backus and staff committed to follow up.

Why it matters: The account raises questions about how Scappoose Police document and disclose incidents that involve schools and about how the city responds to public-records requests and body-camera requests. Those issues affect residents’ ability to seek accountability and may involve state public-records and privacy rules.

What’s next: Council members and staff said they would confer with the city manager and police chief and return with information; no formal resolution or vote occurred on Hedges’s request at the Jan. 6 meeting.