Maestro of the mission

Several hours into the mission, Community Safety Specialist Lynette Fay's phone pings repeatedly with messages and photos from local retailers alerting her to suspected shoplifting in progress.

In the calm, clipped tone used by dispatchers, Lynette radios the retailer information to police officers waiting near the stores, and to a drone pilot sitting immediately to her right in the Gresham Police Department's Real Time Information Center.

Everyone is braced - ready to swing into action. But not...just..yet, Lynette cautions, rocking back in her chair.

The suspects are still looking at merchandise. Minutes more pass. Lynette continues monitoring store updates on her phone.

But then, PING! A retailer's loss-prevention specialist reports that a fragrance canister has been hidden in a suspect's clothing. "Right pant pocket," Lynette clarifies for officers over radio.

The suspect walks out of the store. Within seconds of receiving Lynette's signal, the police drone camera sweeps in along with officers on the ground to make the arrest. It's another win attributable to the Gresham community for their support of the Fire and Police Levy, which funds non-sworn public safety support positions like Lynette's to improve community safety.

"We often think of public safety as police officers, and that's very critical. We need to have them. The public safety levy that we passed increased that. But the public safety levy also expanded the behind-the-scenes help -people that can help get the police to the right spot." - Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lynn Snodgrass.

One recent mission alone resulted in nine suspect contacts, six new criminal charges, 13 warrants cleared and $1,608 in recovered merchandise.