541-917-0490

541-791-0158

Police Chief Lattanzio

Mario Lattanzio will become Albany's new Chief of Police effective Monday, July 1, 2013.

Chief Lattanzio comes to Albany from the Mesa, Arizona, Police Department where he recently retired as an Assistant Police Chief with 20 years of experience.  He worked in almost every area of the Mesa department during that time, completed the Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command and the Southern Police Institute's Chief Executive Leadership program.

He also holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a master's degree in environmental management with an emphasis in emergency management.  Both degrees are from Arizona State University. 

As chief in Albany, Lattanzio said he plans to work on data-driven policing, property crime reduction, and community outreach.

Lattanzio has an aunt who grew up in Albany; her family owned the hardware store in the building that is now the Albany Regional Museum.  Other family members live in the Portland area.

When he was growing up, Lattanzio lived four years in Guadalajara, Mexico, and learned to speak Spanish.  He later served eight years in the Army National Guard where he was an Engineer Officer.  He is married with a 21-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son. 

The Albany Police Department has 87 employees.  The department budget for fiscal 2014 is $12.5 million.  More information about APD can be found at http://www.cityofalbany.net/departments/police.

Chief Lattanzio can be reached at mario.lattanzio@cityofalbany.net.

The 2013 River Rhythms concert series opens Thursday, July 4, at Monteith Riverpark in Downtown Albany.  Soul, blues, and R&B singer Nikki Hill is the featured artist to open the series' 30th year.  A community fireworks show will follow the concert in celebration of Independence Day.

The Brownish Black band, a ragged mix of old-school R&B soul and garage rock will open for Hill at 7:00 p.m.  The fireworks show is expected to begin about 10:00 p.m. 

Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

Food vendors open at 5:00 p.m.  The blanket seating area and beer garden, featuring beers and cider by Gilgamesh Brewing of Turner, open at 5:30 p.m.  Children's art activities, sponsored by the locally owned Red Robin, are from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Bryant Park will be closed to the public until 10:00 a.m. July 4 to allow setup for the fireworks show. Fireworks fans can park at Bryant beginning at 10:00 a.m. for $5.00 per vehicle.

The lower (north) Bryant shelter area will be used as the fallout zone for the fireworks and will be closed all day.

The community fireworks are made possible entirely by donations from Albany-area businesses.  The show is presented by Lassen Toyota, Northwest Toyota Dealers, Toyota Let's Go Places, with major sponsors Co-Energy Propane, Kutsch Dentistry, KGAL/KSHO, KRKT/KLOO, H&R Block, Stutzman & Kropf Contractors, Stutzman Services, Western States Insurance Agency, CNS Firearms, and Xtreme Grafx.

On Tuesday, August 6, 2013, neighborhoods throughout Albany are invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 30th annual National Night Out (NNO) crime and drug prevention event. 

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Residents in neighborhoods throughout Albany are asked to lock their doors from 6:00-9:00 p.m., turn on outside lights, and spend the evening outside with neighbors and Albany Police.  Many neighborhoods will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, flashlight walks, contests, youth activities, and anticrime rallies.

If you would like to organize a Neighborhood Watch group or simply support local crime prevention efforts and participate in National Night Out, this is an excellent opportunity to organize your neighborhood to reduce crime, get to know your neighbors, and host a neighborhood celebration.  If you live within the Albany city limits and want more information regarding National Night Out, Neighborhood Watch, or to register your neighborhood event, contact Community Education Specialist Carmen Westfall at 541-917-3206.  Registered neighborhoods are eligible for visits from the Police and Fire Departments.  Please register prior to Friday, July 26, 2013.

National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and cosponsored locally by the Albany Police Department and TARGET, will involve over 35 million people from all 50 states.

The Albany Police Department will accept applications for the 2013 Citizens Academy beginning July 1. The Citizens Academy will be held Tuesdays, 6:00-9:00 p.m., September 3-November 12, 2013.  Two Saturday classes are also planned. 

The Academy is offered free to Albany citizens age 18 or older and who pass a criminal background check.  The Academy is designed to promote awareness and understanding of the Albany Police Department's role in the community, the criminal justice system, and to educate citizens about the Department's daily functions and operations.

Citizens will attend 40 hours of interactive classroom and hands-on instruction.  Topics include police officer selection, training, and duties; investigation skills; tactical operations; use of force and defensive tactics; canine procedures; firearms use; narcotics investigations; crime scene processing; and crime prevention.  Students will be actively involved in a variety of educational, interesting activities.

Academy applications are available at the Police Department, 1117 Jackson Street SE, or by download from the Police link at www.cityofalbany.net/police.

Limited spaces are available.  Completed applications must be returned to the Department no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 16, 2013.  One credit hour plus tuition costs are available through Linn-Benton Community College upon successful completion of the Academy.  For more information, call 541-917-7680.

Retiring Albany Police Chief Ed Boyd has been honored by American Legion Post 10 as Police Officer of the Year for 2013.  Chief Boyd was nominated for the award by more than a dozen of the men and women who work for him, who described him in their nomination as leading "with honor, integrity, pride of service, unity and compassion."

In nominating Boyd, his peers noted that, during his service in Albany, he secured land for a new police station; serves on a number of local and state boards that make a difference in the lives of children and law enforcement professionals; and volunteers regularly at community events and organizations.

"He has presented the definitive image of leadership," the nominating letter said.  "He is open, approachable, and engaging.  He has created a close-knit organization of professionals who strive to deliver the very best service possible to the citizens of Albany.  He provides honest and tempered leadership while demonstrating his philosophies and all of the tenets of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.

"Chief Boyd can retire knowing he left the Albany Police Department in a much better place than when he arrived here.  It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with such a professional and personable man."

Boyd received the Legion award during his retirement reception at Albany City Hall May 31.  He was a police officer for 27 years, the last seven as Albany's chief.  He is a US Marine Corps veteran and also served in the Oregon Army National Guard.  He and his wife Tawni live in North Albany and are raising their five-year-old grandson, Milan.

The City of Albany appreciates your efforts to save water.   Water conservation reduces water and sewer bills and keeps more water in rivers where it benefits fish, wildlife, and the river ecosystem.

The free kits to help cut back on outdoor water use are available at the Engineering counter on the second floor of City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW.  Each kit includes:

• Hose nozzle with six settings, so users can choose the most efficient one
• Lawn watering gauge to help keep irrigation to one inch of water per week
• Helpful information

For more water conservation tips, visit http://www.cityofalbany.net/departments/public-works/water-a-sewer-system and click "Tips for Conserving Water around the Home"

For questions or to schedule a free outdoor water conservation audit, contact Kim Kagelaris, Environmental Services Technician, at 541-220-0312 or kim.kagelaris@cityofalbany.net.