Eugene Police Target Highway 99 Corridor, Use Deflection Program

Eugene Police conducted a focused enforcement operation on December 5, 2025, along the Highway 99 corridor from Barger to Roosevelt after ongoing complaints from residents and businesses in the Bethel area. Five officers concentrated on people loitering in front of businesses, trespassing on private property, and blocking sidewalks. The department emphasized offering Deflection through the Lane County Behavioral Health Deflection Program as an alternative for eligible people with drug addiction, with the program providing access to treatment instead of jail or prosecution for drug possession and low level quality of life crimes.

The operation produced a mix of enrollments in Deflection, citations, and arrests at multiple locations. At Centro Latino, 944 W. 5th Avenue, officers contacted a 38 year old woman and a 59 year old man who agreed to participate in Deflection and were enrolled by a peer navigator. A 56 year old man camping in the Dairy Queen parking lot at 734 Highway 99 North accepted Deflection and met with program staff for intake after reporting recent housing loss. A 33 year old man contacted on railroad tracks at 355 Highway 99 North refused Deflection and was cited into Community Court for Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.

Officers encountered a large group blocking the sidewalk near Garfield Street and West Broadway. A 32 year old man, Christopher Lee McGough, ran from officers but was captured and charged with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, Escape in the Third Degree, and Possession of Methamphetamine. Officers arrested 45 year old Allen Christopher Goddard for Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree and outstanding warrants, and cited 42 year old Robert Warran Johnson for Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree. At 1900 West 7th Avenue a 48 year old man was warned for Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree and declined Deflection. At 2190 West 11th Avenue officers arrested 42 year old Thomas Hiep Truong for Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree and Municipal Court warrants. A uniform traffic citation was issued on Highway 99 to 28 year old Elijah Muhammad Jackson for Driving While Suspended and Careless Driving.

For residents and business owners the operation illustrates a two track approach that combines enforcement with social services. The use of Deflection aims to reduce recidivism and connect people to behavioral health resources, while arrests and citations address immediate public safety and property concerns. The operation raises policy questions about long term funding and coordination between police and behavioral health providers, and whether similar targeted deployments will continue along Highway 99 to address neighborhood complaints and commercial impacts.