Morning Lookout: Flock cameras debate continues, law enforcement officials meet on burglaries

Good morning, Lookout Eugene-Springfield,

The city says its new license plate reader cameras help solve crimes. Opponents call them a threat to privacy. Here’s what we know about the cameras before the city council unpacks the issue at a work session today.

Local and state law enforcement officials will meet Thursday with the Oregon Department of Justice to work on a strategy to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators of a string of burglaries that targeted Asian households during the past year. Meanwhile, the Eugene Police Department faces a complaint over its handling of one of the cases.

A new practice, McKenzie Medical Group, will open Nov. 1 at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center, providing obstetrics and gynecology services. McKenzie-Willamette has been contracting with Oregon Medical Group since 2015 to provide obstetricians for its birth unit. But, OMG announced in July it would close the OB-GYN department at the hospital.

Ken Woody and Tyson Alger got together to talk about what the Ducks need to do Saturday against Indiana.

Douglas Berg has a guest column about PERS and how governors and lawmakers share responsibility for the underfunded system.

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Sign up here to receive Morning Lookout in your inbox every weekday.

What we know about Flock license-plate reader cameras in Eugene

By Grace Chinowsky

The police department says the technology helps fight crime. Opponents call the cameras a threat to privacy. Here are some details about the cameras as the City Council gets ready to unpack the issue.

Police to map out plan to try to solve burglary ring targeting Asian households

By Ben Botkin

Meanwhile, a forum is planned for Oct. 23 to give the public a chance to learn more about the crimes. Also, the Eugene Police Department faces a complaint over its handling of one of the cases.