📧 from Hanes: "Oregon law allows for recording without consent in public"
Good afternoon, Senator & Representative.
I have some responses below in green.
I’m happy to stop by with security and OSP at any time to discuss further.
Slainte,
Brett
...Brett, is there anything I should be telling my staff about interactions with Mr. Isaac?
Mr. Isaac seems to have moments where everything is fine, and he also seems to be quick to anger and use profanity and be insulting. At any point that staff feels like the interaction is no longer productive or professional, or at any point they feel unsafe, they can end the conversation. Staff can press the duress button, call OSP or go to the inner office and press the duress button in there.
As the legislator, you can set conditions of communicating with anyone as Representative Boshart Davis did.
Please forward any negative interactions or communications from Mr. Isaac to OSP and Brad Brainard.
If his behavior continues, we will present Mr. Isaac with a letter that will lay out conditions for coming to the Capitol in person (i.e. 24-hour notice to leg admin and/or OSP of intent to visit the Capitol, escort within the building while he conducts his business, etc.)
It appears from the posting that Mr. Isaac recorded his conversation with Reneé. Is that permissible without her consent/knowledge? Do I need to post something in my office or on my appointment confirmations to indicate I do not consent to being recorded without an explicit statement otherwise?
Oregon law allows for recording without consent in public areas.
Given the experiences in Rep. Boshart Davis’s office and Senator Manning’s office, should any information be shared with Senator Thatcher? I do not want to be an obstacle to the policy objective he is trying to achieve. However, I also do not want to inadvertently set him up for disappointment that could lead to further escalation or put another colleague in that position.
If you think Mr. Isaac might contact Senator Thatcher, it might be a good idea to offer up your experiences in dealing with him without delving in to his policy request. That would provide the separation between his behavior and what he is trying to achieve in policy.
Are there any precautions we should take with public meetings in the community? I do know there was a bit of a dust up regarding Mr. Isaac at a Congressional town hall in Corvallis last year.
If you are outside the Capitol at a town hall, roadshow, or other event, OSP recommends working with local law enforcement on any concerns. OSP has offered to help contact local law enforcement to assist setting up lines of communication.
Is there an appropriate way to try to connect Mr. Isaac to services? I have had good conversations with him at times and believe this behavior is largely a result of his own experience with PTSD and trauma. That does not make it acceptable for any of our building staff to experience and at the same time I know we all share a desire to ensure our constituents are connected to appropriate services and supports if they need them.
Not being a clinician, it is hard for me to say. I would be careful in suggesting someone prone to anger get assistance unless it is someone you know very well. Not knowing his experiences and what may trigger him would give me pause. I do hope Mr. Isaac is seeking help if he is suffering from PTSD.
