Washington County Oral Histories

Betsy Biller oral history recording

An audio recording of an oral history of Betsy Biller, Assistant Superintendent of Hillsboro School District, on trends in crime and law enforcement in Hillsboro, Oregon from 1980-2005. There is a transcript of this interview. Ms. Biller has worked in Hillsboro for 29 years, part of her job involves interfacing with agencies that deal with criminal rehabilitation, juvenile crimes, and juvenile crime prevention. She also supplies a staff member to Parkins House, a residential center for students/youths waiting to go through the court system. One of her bigger concerns recently has been the rise in methamphetamines, identity theft and the violence that somes with them. Law enforcement provides resource officers to the schools, Pat Hess at Century H.S. Puts students and police together in positive situation. The cost of incarceration is very expensive; budget cuts cause problems. Biller discusses Measure 11 and it has made the system more punitive and less rehabilitative. The “Understanding Racism Foundation” has given training sessions to staff and students at Century High School. Since 1995 the government has doing more economically to help all citizens in the community. Biller also expresses her feelings regarding the way in which media can often be manipulative when dealing with juvenile crime. Ms. Biller believes that parents need to get more involved with their children; talking to and supervising them., this can help to combat future problems. Recent student surveys show slight increase in drug use but bigger increase of use in younger students. The D.A.R.E program has proven helpful.

Biller, Betsy

Century High School collection

Crime -- Oregon -- Washington County

Law Enforcement -- Oregon -- Washington County

Washington County (Or.)

Hillsboro (Or.)

1 sound cassette (34 min.)

English

WCM_OH_86

In Copyright

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Five Oaks Museum

Savage, Talicia

Audiocassettes

Sound