Officers once again able to write tickets

SUNRIVER, Ore. – The window of opportunity has closed for speeders in Sunriver.

Sunriver Police Chief Mike Kennedy and his officers were forced to scale back their ticketing authority in February because a legal opinion stemming from a 2001 lawsuit said the roads in the planned community south of Bend are private, like a supermarket parking lot.

Police could cite people for major traffic crimes. But officers risked a lawsuit if they stopped someone for a basic violation, such as speeding or going through a stop sign.

Records from the police department show zero uniform traffic code citations issued from March to May. Officers also made no drunken driving arrests from February to May.

But Oregon legislators clarified the issue in June for both Sunriver and Black Butte Ranch by adding the private roadways to the state’s definition of “highways.” Kennedy’s officers fully regained their ability to issue uniform traffic code citations after not having done so for about three months.

“This was very political and unfortunate,” Sgt. P.J. Beaty said. “It was unfortunate for the homeowners, the people who pay for the services. They expect the streets to be safe, and they lost that for a time.”

“It’s back to normal, back to business as usual,” Kennedy said. “The officers are glad to be able to get back out and do their thing.”