Washington Co. District Attorney's Office

Emergency Messages as of 1:25 AM, Thu. Dec 11

No information currently posted.

Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from Washington Co. District Attorney's Office.

Manage my existing Subscription

News Release

Washington County District Attorney's Office Awarded $1.5 Million In Grant Funding To Combat Theft (Photo) - 12/10/25

HILLSBORO, Ore- For the second consecutive year, the Washington County District Attorney's Office, on behalf of the Washington County Interagency Organized Retail Theft Taskforce, has secured grant funding to combat organized retail theft and shoplifting across the county. The State of Oregon awarded this office $1,535,173. This represents the largest grant award in Oregon for the Organized Retail Theft Grant Program and outpaced the second-largest distribution by more than $230,000.
 

The funding will be used to enhance efforts to investigate, prosecute, and stop shoplifters and organized retail theft crews from targeting businesses in Washington County. The money awarded will allow law enforcement and prosecutors to engage in more joint retail theft missions, will help gather additional evidence of retail theft crimes, and will allow investigators to focus more resources on criminal fencing operations. Grant funding will also be distributed to eligible small and medium-sized retailers to support a retailer security camera upgrade program. Grant funding is anticipated to be available in the first quarter of 2026.
 

This is the second year in a row that this office has received this funding. In 2025, the DA’s Office received approximately $1.5 million in grant funding and distributed more than $281,000 to 38 small and medium-sized businesses across Washington County. The business owners used the funding to purchase security cameras and alarm systems.
 

Western Pet Supply participated in the grant program and installed 18 new security cameras, allowing staff to better guard against theft.
 

“We now have the ability to make sure we can identify the bad apples who attempt to, or do, steal from our store,” Andy Griggs, Owner of Wester Pet Supply, said. “With the way the economy is now, our store has to be so careful with managing theft because, as an independent, family-owned business, we can't afford to lose any products that affect our bottom line. Thanks to the grant funds, we now have an added sense of security.”


A collection of testimonials from business owners who received funding and support can be found here.
 

“This grant award demonstrates that Washington County continues to be a leader in combating crime,” said Washington County DA Kevin Barton. “Criminals warn each other to avoid Washington County and complain when they are caught here because they know they will be arrested, prosecuted, and convicted.”
 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office works collaboratively with the Organized Retail Crime Association of Oregon (ORCAOR) on this effort. Jeremy Girard of ORCAOR explains how this partnership helps strengthen the outreach to and support of Washington County retailers.
 

“The Organized Retail Crime grant funding received in 2025, along with anticipated future funding, will position both ORCAOR and Washington County to more effectively support the retail industry and implement strategies that help reduce organized retail crime in Washington County and beyond. This critical funding enhances our ability to build long-term solutions through partnership, education, and enforcement,” said Mr. Girard, Retail President, ORCAOR.
 

The DA’s Office also partners with local businesses, including Colombia Sportswear Company, to host training opportunities, such as the 2024 Washington County Retail Theft Symposium. This regional training brought together loss prevention teams and members of law enforcement in a collaborative effort to combat retail theft.
 

“Our headquarters and our very successful Employee Store are located in Washington County, and we expanded our footprint in 2019,” added Peter Bragdon, EVP Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, Columbia Sportswear Company. “We made this decision, in part, due to the safety and security provided by our Washington County law enforcement partners, including the ORT Task Force. Our retail spaces cannot grow and remain successful without strong partnerships with law enforcement that make our stores, and the stores of our wholesale customers, feel safe for our shoppers and our employees.”
 

This funding also allows this office to expand our current shoplifting deterrence campaign by providing free shoplifting and theft warning signs to area businesses. Visit our website for additional information. 

Attached Media Files: ORT_Grant_2026.pdf,

Washington County District Attorney's Office Awarded $1.5 Million In Grant Funding To Combat Theft (Photo) - 12/10/25

HILLSBORO, Ore- For the second consecutive year, the Washington County District Attorney's Office, on behalf of the Washington County Interagency Organized Retail Theft Taskforce, has secured grant funding to combat organized retail theft and shoplifting across the county. The State of Oregon awarded this office $1,535,173. This represents the largest grant award in Oregon for the Organized Retail Theft Grant Program and outpaced the second-largest distribution by more than $230,000.
 

The funding will be used to enhance efforts to investigate, prosecute, and stop shoplifters and organized retail theft crews from targeting businesses in Washington County. The money awarded will allow law enforcement and prosecutors to engage in more joint retail theft missions, will help gather additional evidence of retail theft crimes, and will allow investigators to focus more resources on criminal fencing operations. Grant funding will also be distributed to eligible small and medium-sized retailers to support a retailer security camera upgrade program. Grant funding is anticipated to be available in the first quarter of 2026.
 

This is the second year in a row that this office has received this funding. In 2025, the DA’s Office received approximately $1.5 million in grant funding and distributed more than $281,000 to 38 small and medium-sized businesses across Washington County. The business owners used the funding to purchase security cameras and alarm systems.
 

Western Pet Supply participated in the grant program and installed 18 new security cameras, allowing staff to better guard against theft.
 

“We now have the ability to make sure we can identify the bad apples who attempt to, or do, steal from our store,” Andy Griggs, Owner of Wester Pet Supply, said. “With the way the economy is now, our store has to be so careful with managing theft because, as an independent, family-owned business, we can't afford to lose any products that affect our bottom line. Thanks to the grant funds, we now have an added sense of security.”


A collection of testimonials from business owners who received funding and support can be found here.
 

“This grant award demonstrates that Washington County continues to be a leader in combating crime,” said Washington County DA Kevin Barton. “Criminals warn each other to avoid Washington County and complain when they are caught here because they know they will be arrested, prosecuted, and convicted.”
 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office works collaboratively with the Organized Retail Crime Association of Oregon (ORCAOR) on this effort. Jeremy Girard of ORCAOR explains how this partnership helps strengthen the outreach to and support of Washington County retailers.
 

“The Organized Retail Crime grant funding received in 2025, along with anticipated future funding, will position both ORCAOR and Washington County to more effectively support the retail industry and implement strategies that help reduce organized retail crime in Washington County and beyond. This critical funding enhances our ability to build long-term solutions through partnership, education, and enforcement,” said Mr. Girard, Retail President, ORCAOR.
 

The DA’s Office also partners with local businesses, including Colombia Sportswear Company, to host training opportunities, such as the 2024 Washington County Retail Theft Symposium. This regional training brought together loss prevention teams and members of law enforcement in a collaborative effort to combat retail theft.
 

“Our headquarters and our very successful Employee Store are located in Washington County, and we expanded our footprint in 2019,” added Peter Bragdon, EVP Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, Columbia Sportswear Company. “We made this decision, in part, due to the safety and security provided by our Washington County law enforcement partners, including the ORT Task Force. Our retail spaces cannot grow and remain successful without strong partnerships with law enforcement that make our stores, and the stores of our wholesale customers, feel safe for our shoppers and our employees.”
 

This funding also allows this office to expand our current shoplifting deterrence campaign by providing free shoplifting and theft warning signs to area businesses. Visit our website for additional information. 

Attached Media Files: ORT_Grant_2026.pdf,