Police crack down on forest trespass

Sheriff's deputies arrested three local youths on Saturday, November 10, for allegedly trespassing on forest property owned by Willamette Industries.

According to Jefferson County Deputy Dave Blann, the three were arrested at their camp site off the 900 spur road of Forest Road 1018 west of Sisters. The site was strewn with beer cans. The area is in Deschutes County, but the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has a contract with Willamette Industries to patrol their properties.

According to Blann, Willamette Industries is generous about allowing use of their forest property for public recreation -- but the company will no longer tolerate seeing the area trashed.

"This 900 spur has historically been a party dump spot and they're tired of paying to clean it up," Blann said.

The deputy noted that the spot has been posted "No Trespassing" numerous times -- and the signs are torn down by partyers.

Blann was assisted by a Deschutes County deputy in making the three arrests. All three young men -- two from Sisters and one from Bend -- were cited for criminal trespass. A Willamette Industries representative signed the citations.

One of the Sisters youths was also cited for giving false information to a police officer and the Bend youth was arrested on an outstanding warrant for a probation violation in Hillsboro.

Blann said Willamette Industries and local law enforcement will continue to crack down on partyers trashing the woods.

"The good news is that the three of them that were arrested will get the word out," Blann said.