SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- At the Springfield City Council's meeting Monday evening, the city prosecutor presented his annual report outlining issues facing the city.
The report said Springfield has seen an increase in marijuana DUIIs, an increase in defendants with mental health issues and calls for the city to invest in body cameras for police officers.
City prosecutor Matt Cox also recommended that the city improve security at the municipal courthouse.
Cox said they are having problems prosecuting people with marijuana DUIIs because there is no standard like the .08 standard for blood alcohol content.
“In jury selection I will have jurors ask me during jury selection, why is there no standard? Why can’t you give me the .08 standard because I don’t know how I can convict someone when you’re not giving me that,” Cox said.
From the list of issues outlined, Mayor Christine Lundberg said the one which can be acted upon quickly is improving security at the courthouse.
“That's completely within our ability to deal with. Since it involves public safety as well as the safety of court personnel or anyone else that is working in the building, that's very important,” Lundberg said.
When it comes to investing in police body cameras, the city did not make a decision and officials said that conversation will continue into the future.
