February 2026 Sunriver Scene - Flipbook - Page 33
Volunteer: Sunriver Citizen Patrol seeking new members
By Ron Heeren
The Sunriver Citizen Patrol
is a volunteer organization of
men and women that has been
active in Sunriver for more than
20 years.
Citizen Patrol members work
with the Sunriver Police and
Fire departments to provide a
variety of assistance and community outreach.
Their many activities include:
• Bike Patrol: If you have
been out on the Sunriver bike
paths during the spring, summer or fall, you have probably
seen the Bike Patrol.
Along with the police department’s paid bike patrol officers,
members of the Citizen Patrol
(we’re the older ones!) also take
part in riding the paths. We
aid visitors and help to remind
people of SROA bike path rules.
It’s a good way to incorporate
some volunteer time into your
exercise regimen.
• Vehicle patrol: “Patrolling”
in the Citizen Patrol vehicle
supports the community - visitors and residents alike – by
providing assistance, answering
questions, and showing a public
presence. In other words, we are
“ambassadors” for the Sunriver
Police and Fire departments.
Record year, new Oregon rule for utility locates
Following a record-setting
year for underground utility
locate requests in Oregon, a
new rule aimed at reducing
damage has adjusted the ticket
life for excavation projects from
45 days to 30 days.
Oregon set an all-time record
in 2025 with 382,441 locate
requests. It was fitting to reach
this milestone on the 30th anniversary of the Oregon Utility
Notification Center, more commonly known as Oregon 811.
The Oregon Legislature created the agency back in 1995
to prevent damage to under- Each utility locate is often identi昀椀ed by its own color.
ground utilities and promote
safe excavation.
A Full Service Tree Co.
“Each locate request repBrent Redenius
resents a contractor or homePresident
owner doing the right thing and
Of昀椀ce: 541-593-8360
using our free service to know
Cell: 541-977-6274
what’s below before digging,”
brent@springrivertreeservice.com
Josh Thomas, executive director
for the Oregon Utility NotifiCertified Arborist on Staff
TREE REMOVAL
BRUSH REMOVAL
cation Center, said. “WhethSTUMP GRINDING
er you’re working on a small
PO Box 1987 Sunriver, OR 97707 • CCB#112460
project or a large one, hitting a
utility when digging can range
from a minor annoyance to a
life changing catastrophe and
in most cases it is avoidable.”
People planning to dig should
SINCE 1976 ccb# 208649
request locates at least two busiREMODELING SPECIALIST • ADDITIONS • KITCHENS • BATHS • DISASTER RESTORATION
ness days in advance.
MINOR/MAJOR STRUCTURAL REPAIR • CUSTOM DECKS AND HARDSCAPES
Whether they call 811, request locates through Oregon811.com or use its free
Call or text for a rapid response!
iPhone and Android apps, the
• Vacation house checks:
One of the many services provided to the Sunriver community, is the Sunriver Police
Department “Vacation Check”
Program. Sunriver Police officers and Sunriver Citizen Patrol
members will check the exterior
of your property for any signs of
uninvited activity for a period
while you are away. This has
proven to be a popular program
for many years and is provided
free of charge to Sunriver homeowners.
• Philanthropy: The Citizen
Patrol has long been involved in
philanthropic endeavors. Just
one example is the Shop-witha-Cop program supported by
the Sunriver Police Department
whereby kids from disadvantaged families get to meet and
shop with a friendly and supportive police officer to supply
some family Christmas needs.
The Citizen Patrol provides
both financial and volunteer
support to this great program.
• Events: Citizen Patrol also
takes part in numerous events
such as the yearly Police Depart-
CITIZEN
PATROL
December 2025
Number of Services
Admin Projects
13
Public Contact
7
Map Boxes
10
House Checks
25
Patrol Hours
22
Bike Patrol Miles
24
ment National Night Out, Halloween and 4th of July at the
Village, among other events.
• Traffic control: The Citizen Patrol provides traffic
control for many fun events
including the yearly Three
Rivers Middle School run/walk
event, the Fourth of July parade
and others.
If this sounds interesting, we
would love to hear from you.
Please feel free to contact Bob
Hann, membership chairman,
at sloopysails@gmail.com or
Ron Heeren, president, at
rmheuk@gmail.com
541.536.2628 Locally Owned
- Tree Removal - Ladder Fuel Reduction
- Tree Trimming - Stump Grinding
- Brush Chipping - Brush Hauling
Licensed, Bonded, Insured
CCB# 200545
(541) 815-1990
Turn to Locates, page 35
DESIGN/BUILD/PERSONAL ATTENTION FROM START TO FINISH
FEBRUARY 2026 SUNRIVER SCENE
Page 33
