CITY OF BEAVERTON RECEIVES AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE FOR THE B-SOBR PROGRAM FROM LEAGUE OF OREGON CITIES (PHOTO)
News Release from City of Beaverton
Posted on FlashAlert: October 1st, 2014 5:09 PM
During the 89th annual League of Oregon Cities Conference, the City of Beaverton was presented with the 2014 Award for Excellence to its Beaverton Sobriety Opportunity for Beginning Recovery (B-SOBR) program for its innovative approach to confronting the problem of alcoholic drunk drivers who are repeat offenders.
In 2011, faced with a burgeoning number of citations issued to alcoholics for driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), the municipal court launched the program with the approval of Mayor Denny Doyle and the City Council.
The program combats drunk driving, improves quality of life, efficiently enhances the protective aspects of justice services to citizens, and includes collaboration with private interests.
"Clients in B-SOBR come in as high-risk, high-needs individuals on a collision course with losing everything and they come out clean, sober, employed, and on a better path in life," said Tim Kempton, assistant city attorney. "The best part is Beaverton is a much safer place to live and work because there is one less alcoholic behind the wheel. Making Beaverton a safer place is what keeps me coming to work each day."
While all intoxicated drivers are dangerous, alcoholic motorists present a greater threat because they are intoxicated more often and to a greater degree. The city recognized that community safety would require a special effort to modify the behavior of alcoholic drivers who repeatedly drive under the influence.
"No one's had the nerve to try this before, but through some extraordinary partnerships and the tremendous support of the Mayor and City Council we've had more successes than we could have expected," said Judge John Mercer. "B-SOBR helps save lives and families right in our own community before they're destroyed."
The League of Oregon Cities' Award of Excellence recognizes progressive and innovative city operations and services. The B-SOBR program is the first of its kind carried out on the municipal level.
"I'm very proud of this program's success and the tremendous impact it's making in the community," said Mayor Denny Doyle. "By addressing the core problem--alcoholism--B-SOBR changes behaviors and leads to long-term reductions in DUII cases."
Judges gave the program high marks for its innovation in serving a population that's often overlooked as well as the multiple achievements its seen helping individuals, families, neighborhoods and the city.
Founded in 1925, the League of Oregon Cities is a voluntary association representing all 242 of Oregon's incorporated cities. The League helps city governments serve their citizens by providing legislative services, policy setting, intergovernmental relations, conferences and training, technical assistance and publications.
In 2014, Beaverton was again recognized as the safest city in the Pacific Northwest. In 2012, the city was awarded the Mayors' Climate Protection Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. It was one of just four cities of its size recently recognized as a "Smarter City" energy leader by the Natural Resources Defense Council and one of the 100 Best Places to Live in America by Money magazine. In addition, Beaverton was named one of the best places to raise kids by BusinessWeek magazine, an All-America City finalist, as one of the top 25 Suburbs for Retirement by Forbes.com, one of the 100 Best Walking Cities in America by Prevention magazine, the Recycler of the Year from the Association of Oregon Recyclers, a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, a Bronze Award Bicycle Friendly Community designation by the League of American Bicyclists and as one of the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Communities, the Beaverton Community Vision program was named Public Involvement Project of the Year--Best Planning Project by the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Cascade Chapter. Beaverton also enjoys one of the most diverse populations in Oregon. For more information, reminders and community news, visit www.BeavertonOregon.gov, like the City of Beaverton on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofBeaverton, or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CityofBeaverton.
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In 2011, faced with a burgeoning number of citations issued to alcoholics for driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), the municipal court launched the program with the approval of Mayor Denny Doyle and the City Council.
The program combats drunk driving, improves quality of life, efficiently enhances the protective aspects of justice services to citizens, and includes collaboration with private interests.
"Clients in B-SOBR come in as high-risk, high-needs individuals on a collision course with losing everything and they come out clean, sober, employed, and on a better path in life," said Tim Kempton, assistant city attorney. "The best part is Beaverton is a much safer place to live and work because there is one less alcoholic behind the wheel. Making Beaverton a safer place is what keeps me coming to work each day."
While all intoxicated drivers are dangerous, alcoholic motorists present a greater threat because they are intoxicated more often and to a greater degree. The city recognized that community safety would require a special effort to modify the behavior of alcoholic drivers who repeatedly drive under the influence.
"No one's had the nerve to try this before, but through some extraordinary partnerships and the tremendous support of the Mayor and City Council we've had more successes than we could have expected," said Judge John Mercer. "B-SOBR helps save lives and families right in our own community before they're destroyed."
The League of Oregon Cities' Award of Excellence recognizes progressive and innovative city operations and services. The B-SOBR program is the first of its kind carried out on the municipal level.
"I'm very proud of this program's success and the tremendous impact it's making in the community," said Mayor Denny Doyle. "By addressing the core problem--alcoholism--B-SOBR changes behaviors and leads to long-term reductions in DUII cases."
Judges gave the program high marks for its innovation in serving a population that's often overlooked as well as the multiple achievements its seen helping individuals, families, neighborhoods and the city.
Founded in 1925, the League of Oregon Cities is a voluntary association representing all 242 of Oregon's incorporated cities. The League helps city governments serve their citizens by providing legislative services, policy setting, intergovernmental relations, conferences and training, technical assistance and publications.
In 2014, Beaverton was again recognized as the safest city in the Pacific Northwest. In 2012, the city was awarded the Mayors' Climate Protection Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. It was one of just four cities of its size recently recognized as a "Smarter City" energy leader by the Natural Resources Defense Council and one of the 100 Best Places to Live in America by Money magazine. In addition, Beaverton was named one of the best places to raise kids by BusinessWeek magazine, an All-America City finalist, as one of the top 25 Suburbs for Retirement by Forbes.com, one of the 100 Best Walking Cities in America by Prevention magazine, the Recycler of the Year from the Association of Oregon Recyclers, a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, a Bronze Award Bicycle Friendly Community designation by the League of American Bicyclists and as one of the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Communities, the Beaverton Community Vision program was named Public Involvement Project of the Year--Best Planning Project by the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Cascade Chapter. Beaverton also enjoys one of the most diverse populations in Oregon. For more information, reminders and community news, visit www.BeavertonOregon.gov, like the City of Beaverton on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofBeaverton, or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CityofBeaverton.
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