Charbonneau Villager January 2026 3
EPPS
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shortly afterward. We suspect they were working as a team. Most importantly, no crimes occurred that weekend or in the months following, suggesting the attempted activity was interrupted.
Continuous improvement
On the emergency preparedness front, this year marked an important period of reassessment. We completed an updated Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis for the community. Although earthquakes remain a concern, wildfire has now become our top priority. This shift reflects conditions throughout the region, and it calls for renewed attention to home hardening, defensible space, evacuation planning and coordinated community response.
In 2026, you’ ll see an increased focus from the EPPS Committee on sharing practical information and community-wide strategies to reduce wildfire risk. This includes education, resources and initiatives aimed at making Charbonneau more resilient.
Beyond our local efforts, Charbonneau played an important role in the city of Wilsonville’ s comprehensive rewrite of its Emergency Operations Plan in 2025. We were invited to participate as a key stakeholder, and I was pleased to represent our community in shaping policies that could directly impact us during a major emergency.
Questions about 24 / 7 coverage
Many residents continue to ask why we do not have 24 / 7 security coverage, and why we are sometimes unable to contact residents about open garage doors. These questions are connected.
The reason we do not have roundthe-clock staffing is purely a matter of budget. Like all community amenities, security services are funded through resident fees. While 24 / 7 patrols would certainly bring added benefits, they also come with a significant cost. Based on our current incident rates and the overall risk profile, I do not believe this level of staffing is necessary at this time.
Because we do not operate 24 / 7, our patrol shifts are randomized. As a result, when a garage door is found open after 9 p. m. and the home appears dark, officers are instructed not to call. If we had continuous coverage, garage-door notification could be built into the program. For now, we notify when we can— up until 9 p. m.
In the meantime, technology can help. Many of you who attend“ Coffee With Neil” have heard me encourage the adoption of smart garage-door systems. These devices can be programmed to close automatically at certain times or after a set duration, and they can be controlled via smartphone from anywhere. Even if your current opener is older, inexpensive add-on modules often work with units up to 30 years old. Several residents have made the switch and report great results.
Looking toward new technologies
Two technologies have been raised frequently this year as potential upgrades: Automatic License Plate Readers( ALPRs) and drones.
ALPR systems are especially well-suited to communities with limited entry and exit points, like ours. They integrate with law enforcement and have shown measurable success in reducing crime. While some residents have privacy concerns, modern systems include multiple protections. I support considering this technology in the future, but the cost would need to be carried by residents. If we see crime rates rise, this will be among the tools I evaluate.
Drones, meanwhile, continue to evolve rapidly. Although traditional drone programs require trained and certified operators— making personnel costs the major barrier— AI-supported drone systems are beginning to emerge in cities across the country. These developments are promising. Within a year or two, drones may become a realistic option for communities of our size. Time will tell, but the possibilities are worth watching.
Closing thoughts
As we look back on a year of steady safety and growing preparedness, we also look ahead to new tools, new challenges and new opportunities to strengthen our community. Thank you for your continued engagement, your feedback and your commitment to keeping Charbonneau a safe and resilient place to live.