McMinnville Police Department

💙 Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Law Enforcement 💙

Last week, Detective Bahr had the privilege of serving as an instructor at the 3rd Annual Junior Women in Law Enforcement Academy, presented by Central Oregon Women in Law Enforcement and hosted by the Redmond Police Department.

Over the course of two exciting days, 25 young women, ages 11 to 19, explored the many career opportunities within the criminal justice profession. More than 16 law enforcement and public safety agencies from across Oregon came together to provide hands-on instruction, mentorship, and real-world experiences.

Participants took part in mock traffic stops, a mock trial, K-9 demonstrations, and interactive learning about corrections, parole and probation, investigations, and many other areas of law enforcement.

Programs like this help young women build confidence, develop leadership skills, and gain firsthand insight into the many ways they can make a positive impact in their communities through public service.

A special thank you to Central Oregon Women in Law Enforcement for organizing this incredible event and investing in the future of our profession. We'd also like to thank the Redmond Police Department for hosting such a fantastic academy.

We are proud to have Detective Bahr represent the McMinnville Police Department while helping inspire the next generation of public servants.

We are already looking forward to next year's academy and another opportunity to encourage young women who are interested in careers in law enforcement.

💙 Thank you to everyone who made this inspiring event possible!

💙 Yesterday we said farewell to Sergeant Greg Park as he completed his final shift with MPD and begins a new chapter in his law enforcement career.

For nearly nine years, Greg has proudly served the McMinnville Police Department and our community with dedication, professionalism, and integrity. Throughout his time with MPD, he has made a lasting impact on our department, his fellow officers, and the many people he has served.

While we are sad to see him go, we are excited for him and his family as they begin this new adventure in another state. We know he'll continue to make a positive difference in the community he serves next.

Thank you, Sergeant Park, for your years of service, your leadership, your friendship, and your commitment to McMinnville. You will be greatly missed, and we wish you and your family nothing but happiness, success, and safety in the years ahead.

💙 Thank you for everything, Greg! 💙

💙🚔 Save the Date! McMinnville Police Department's National Night Out is 8/4/2026! 🚔💙

Join us on Tuesday, August 4, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Discovery Meadows Community Park for an evening of fun, connection, and community!

🤝 What is National Night Out?
National Night Out is an annual community-building event that brings neighbors, law enforcement, first responders, and local organizations together to strengthen relationships and promote safer, more connected neighborhoods. It's an opportunity to meet the people who serve our community, learn about valuable local resources, and enjoy a fun evening with family and friends.

🎉 This event is FREE to attend, and everyone is welcome!

Here's what you can look forward to:
🚚 Food Trucks & Treats:
🔥 Fire & Feast
🌮 Tacos El Paraiso
🍦 Serendipity Ice Cream
🚲 Annual Bike Sale Fundraiser
🎨 FREE Face Painting by Artist Kimberly Eve
💪 FREE Obstacle Course
🎈 FREE Balloon Art by Twisty the Great Balloon Artist
🎯 Games, activities, community booths, and so much more!

A special thank you to our community partners for helping make this event possible:
🏛️ - City of McMinnville
💙 - City of McMinnville Parks & Recreation
🚓 - McMinnville Police Department
🔥 - McMinnville Fire District
🌟 - Yamhill YCAP Youth Services Group
⛺ Boy Scouts of America - BSA Troop 266

Whether you're new to McMinnville or have called it home for years, National Night Out is a wonderful opportunity to meet your neighbors, connect with first responders, learn about local resources, and celebrate what makes our community so special.

Bring your family, invite your friends, and come spend the evening with us. We can't wait to see you there! 💙

📅 Tuesday, August 4, 2026
🕔 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
📍 Discovery Meadows Community Park
1300 SW Cypress Lane, McMinnville

🚔 Slow Down. Save Lives.

Throughout July 2026, the McMinnville Police Department will be participating in an Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) sponsored National Speed Enforcement Campaign.

Our officers will be conducting focused speed enforcement in areas where crashes are more likely to occur, as well as locations where community members have reported concerns about excessive speeding.

Speed limits are in place to help keep everyone safe, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Even a small reduction in speed can make a significant difference in preventing crashes and reducing the severity of injuries.

Please do your part:
🚗 Obey posted speed limits.
👀 Stay alert and avoid distractions.
❤️ Help keep our roads safe for everyone.

Let's work together to make McMinnville's streets safer for our entire community.

Check out ODOT for more details:
www.oregon.gov/odot/pages/index.aspx
Oregon Department of Transportation

🎇 Happy Independence Day!

Today, we celebrate 250 years of independence and the freedoms that unite us as a nation.

The McMinnville Police Department wishes everyone a wonderful Fourth of July filled with family, friends, and community.

As you enjoy today's celebrations, please be safe, celebrate responsibly, and help make it a great holiday for everyone. If you're using fireworks, follow all safety guidelines. If your plans include alcohol, please don't drive impaired. Designate a sober driver or arrange a safe ride home.

From all of us at the McMinnville Police Department, thank you for helping keep our community safe. 💙

💙Great Deeds Deserve to Be Celebrated! 💙

Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can inspire something much bigger.

Recently, a group of children found a lost pair of AirPods at a local park. Instead of keeping them or leaving them behind, they took them home and immediately got to work creating Found flyers to post around the park in hopes of reuniting them with their owner.

At the same time, the owner had reported the missing AirPods to the McMinnville Police Department. An officer accompanied the owner as they used the Find My app to locate the device. As they followed the signal, the officers were preparing for what they thought might be a theft investigation. Instead, they were greeted with a wonderful surprise: the children were in the middle of making posters to help find the owner.

Their honesty, kindness, and willingness to help a complete stranger didn’t just reunite someone with their property. It also reminded our officers that our community is filled with everyday acts of kindness that often go unseen.

In fact, these kids inspired one of our officers to create a new way to recognize acts of kindness throughout our community.

🍦Introducing : "You've Been Caught Being Sweet!" Rewards Program🍦

Thanks to a partnership with Serendipity Ice Cream, McMinnville Police officers will now be handing out special reward cards to people who are observed doing good deeds, showing kindness, helping others, or making a positive difference in our community.

When we shared this idea with our friends at Serendipity in McMinnville, they didn’t hesitate. They immediately said yes and partnered with us to help celebrate the kind of moments that make our community stronger. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity and their commitment to recognizing the good happening every day in McMinnville.

Thank you, Serendipity Ice Cream, for helping us turn one inspiring act of kindness into many more to come! 💙🍦

To these incredible kids: thank you for reminding all of us that kindness matters, integrity matters, and one good deed can inspire many more. ❤️

⚾ Heads Up, McMinnville! ⚾

A youth baseball tournament is taking place at the McMinnville High School baseball fields near NE McDaniel Lane and NE Orchard Avenue through Sunday, July 5.

🚗 Please expect increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area each day from approximately 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. There will be many young athletes, families, and spectators walking between parking areas and the fields.

We've already had several traffic cones and signs struck by vehicles, so we're asking everyone to please:
⚾ Slow down
🚸 Watch carefully for pedestrians
🛑 Obey all traffic signs and cones
👀 Stay alert, especially near crosswalks and parking areas

A little extra patience goes a long way in helping keep everyone safe.

Thank you for doing your part to make this a fun and safe tournament for all our young athletes, their families, and our community! 💙

🚔 Please join us in welcoming Recruit Officer Lucien Lefebvre to the McMinnville Police Department! He was officially sworn in by the Chief, and he signed his Oath of Office, during a private ceremony on May 18th, and then quickly started his police academy training on May 25th, 2026.

Today, Recruit Officer Lefebvre officially completed his swearing-in ceremony at the police department in front of his family and significant guests. His 11-year-old brother, Tristan, completed the important ceremonial task of pinning the badge on to his uniform, making for a very memorable occasion for his family.

Lucien is scheduled to graduate from the police academy in September of 2026. We look forward to welcoming him back to the McMinnville Police Department after graduation, where he will begin serving our community in uniform during his field training.

Congratulations, Lucien! We wish you the very best as you complete the academy, and we can't wait to see you in uniform serving the citizens of McMinnville. 💙

🎆 The McMinnville Police Department wishes everyone a safe, fun, and happy Fourth of July!

Whether you're spending the day with family, friends, or neighbors, we hope you enjoy all the celebrations and make great memories.

If you're planning to use fireworks, please remember that only legal consumer fireworks are allowed in Oregon.

✅ Legal Fireworks:
• Fountains & wheels
• Flitter sparklers & smoke devices
• Ground spinners
• Novelty devices

❌ Illegal Fireworks:
• Firecrackers, cherry bombs & M-80s
• Roman candles & bottle rockets
• Missiles & rockets
• Mortars & arial shells with mortars
• Any firework that flies into the air or explodes

🎇 Firework Safety Tips:
💧 Always have a garden hose or bucket of water nearby.
📍 Use fireworks only on smooth, paved surfaces away from dry grass, buildings, and vehicles.
🚫 Fireworks are prohibited in state parks, federal forest lands, and on public beaches.
🪣 Soak all used fireworks and duds in a bucket of water for at least 24 hours before placing them in the trash.
⚠️ Using illegal fireworks or causing a fire can result in criminal charges and fines of up to $2,500.

🍻 If your celebration includes alcohol, please drink responsibly. Never drive if you have been drinking or if you don't feel safe to drive. Plan ahead by designating a sober driver, using a rideshare or taxi, or staying where you are until you are safe to travel.

Please celebrate responsibly and help keep our community safe for everyone.

Learn more about Oregon's fireworks laws from the Oregon State Fire Marshal:
www.oregon.gov/osfm/pages/fireworks-education.aspx

To report Non-Emergencies, call YCOM Dispatch at 503-434-6500.
To report Emergencies, always call 911.

From all of us at the McMinnville Police Department, have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙

🚔 Micromobility Safety Series: Mopeds, Pocket Bikes & Mini Motorcycles 🛵🏍️

Not every small motorized bike is legal to ride on public roads. Knowing the difference helps keep everyone safe and can prevent costly citations.

🛵 Mopeds
Mopeds may be operated on Oregon roads if they meet all legal requirements, including:
✅ A valid driver license
✅ Current registration
✅ Follow all traffic laws
✅ No passengers

🏍️ Pocket Bikes & Mini Motorcycles
Pocket bikes and mini motorcycles are NOT legal to operate on:
❌ Highways
❌ Streets
❌ Sidewalks
❌ Parking lots or other premises open to the public
✅ They may be operated only on private property with the property owner's permission.

Before riding, make sure you know the laws that apply to your vehicle. Riding responsibly helps keep you and everyone around you safe.

For more information about Oregon's Micromobility Laws, check out ODOT:

https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Pages/search-results.aspx?q=micromobility
PDF Guide:
https://www.oregon.gov/odot/forms/dmv/6619.pdf