Redmond, Oregon - At approximately 8:00 a.m., Monday, June 5, 2023, Redmond Police Detectives responded to a suspicious circumstances call at the Law Offices of Fitch and Neary, located at 210 SW 5th St. Mayor Ed Fitch reported the incident, describing to officers a sign with intimidating language and a dead raccoon had been left on the front door of his office.
The sign placed on the door mentioned Mayor Ed Fitch and Councilor Clifford Evelyn by name. Based on the content of the sign’s message and the dead raccoon this is being investigated as a potential bias crime in the 2nd degree.
Oregon defines a bias crime in the second degree when a person tampers or interferes with property, having no right to do so nor reasonable ground to believe that the person has such right, with the intent to cause substantial inconvenience to another person because of the person’s perception of the other person’s race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.
“The Redmond Police Department has no tolerance for hate speech of any kind, against any person or group,” states Police Chief Devin Lewis. “We will work swiftly to resolve this case and seek to hold those who did this to our community responsible." states Police Chief Devin Lewis.
The Redmond Police are asking for the public for any assistance in locating the suspect(s) who placed the sign and the deceased racoon at the entry way of the Law Offices of Fitch and Neary sometime during the late evening of June 4, or early morning of June 5. If you know who may be responsible or witnessed suspicious activity in the area, please notify the Police by calling the non-emergency number at 541-693-6911 and ask to speak with Detective Sergeant Jeremy Gautney. Reference RPD case #23-16282.