City of Salem – Âé¶ąĘÓƵ Fri, 12 Dec 2025 17:59:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cropped-favicon_logo-32x32.jpg City of Salem – Âé¶ąĘÓƵ 32 32 Safe Streets, Safer Salem: Salem Police Department Traffic Safety Campaign /projects/safe-streets-safer-salem-salem-police-department-traffic-safety-campaign/ Fri, 12 Dec 2025 17:59:26 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=20878 Read More... from Safe Streets, Safer Salem: Salem Police Department Traffic Safety Campaign

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This campaign directly supports the Salem Police Department’s mission to enhance public safety by tackling a critical and timely issue: the alarming rise in serious and fatal traffic accidents. More than just a public information effort, this initiative is designed to shift behaviors and attitudes around impaired and distracted driving.

CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES
1. Raise Awareness about the real dangers on Salem’s roads.
2. Promote Responsible Driving through relatable, emotionally resonant messaging.
3. Prevent Future Tragedies by encouraging community-wide adoption of safer habits.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Building on the deliverables provided in the report, students recommendations for the Salem Police Department include:
• Activate the social media strategies, including the “One Text, One Story” video series and the Distracted Driving AR Quiz Challenge.
• Coordinate and implement the “Walk for Every Life Lost,” fostering community participation and emotional resonance.
• Launch the sidewalk sign contest and strategically place signs in identified high-risk areas.
• Integrate the established brand guidelines across all SPD communication channels to ensure consistency.
• Establish ongoing partnerships with Salem-Keizer Schools and local organizations for continuous engagement.
• Regularly evaluate and adapt communication strategies based on community feedback and engagement metrics.
• Continuously utilize emotional storytelling to reinforce safe driving behaviors.
• Seek further funding opportunities through ODOT and national safety grants.
• Consider hiring or designating a communications specialist to ensure sustained engagement and effective message dissemination.

What sets this campaign apart is its community-first approach. Rather than merely enforcing traffic laws, the campaign recommends actively involving residents, from new teen drivers to parents, in creating a safer driving culture. The campaign aims to make traffic safety a shared community value by sharing real stories and building local partnerships.

Ultimately, this campaign is not just about communication; it’s about connection. When people feel personally invested, they’re more likely to act. We can save
lives by making Salem’s roads safer for everyone.

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Increasing Trust Between the Salem Police Department and the Salem Community /projects/increasing-trust-between-the-salem-police-department-and-the-salem-community/ Thu, 24 Jul 2025 18:17:13 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=19306 Read More... from Increasing Trust Between the Salem Police Department and the Salem Community

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The Public Relations Strategic Planning course at the University of Oregon partnered with the Salem Police Department to develop a campaign to increase trust between the public and the community. While each group focused on distinct publics and created several strategies and tactics, all campaigns shared a common goal: to improve the levels of trust between the department and the community, ultimately reducing violence and negative police interactions. Student groups conducted primary and secondary research about the City of Salem and the Salem Police Department, as well as current attitudes towards the department. Based on this research, teams designed a campaign around specific publics to help the Salem Police Department increase levels of trust in the community.

Recommendations to improve trust between the department and the community consisted of hosting town hall meetings, community events, increasing social media presence, working with youth in schools, and mentorship programs. The most common targeted publics consisted of Hispanic males ages 18-25, youth ages 11-18, youth who have had experiences with the juvenile justice system, and non-English speaking residents. Most plans were designed for implementation within six months to a year, with budgets ranging from $0 to $1,250, to include spending resources on promotional activities and staffing hours. Students designed campaigns with the overall goal to support the Salem Police Department in meeting their mission to “provide superior service to keep Salem safe while enhancing trust.”

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Recommendations for Increased Electric Vehicle Access and Adoption in Salem, Oregon /projects/recommendations-for-increased-electric-vehicle-access-and-adoption-in-salem-oregon/ Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:35:01 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=18629 Read More... from Recommendations for Increased Electric Vehicle Access and Adoption in Salem, Oregon

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The City of Salem sought recommendations on how to increase Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and access. Recognizing the importance of a well-rounded and evidence-based approach, the student teams employed a variety of methodologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis, literature reviews, case studies, and interviews with key stakeholders. Based on this research, the students proposed multiple recommendations for how the City of Salem could increase EV charging infrastructure and: • Ensure charging stations are conveniently located and accessible to all residents • Emphasize the importance of public education programs and outreach efforts • Educate the public about the benefits of electric vehicles, how to use charging stations, and the environmental impact of EVs, which can help dispel misconceptions and foster greater acceptance and adoption of EVs • Highlight the need for increased funding for more EV charging stations and incentives In summary, students provided the City of Salem with a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing EV charging infrastructure and access. Student findings underscored the importance of expanding charging infrastructure, educating the public, and securing adequate funding and incentives to support Salem’s transition to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly transportation system.

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Salem Parks Equity & Service Area Report /projects/salem-parks-equity-service-area-report/ Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:31:43 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=18625 Read More... from Salem Parks Equity & Service Area Report

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In response to the City of Salem’s goal of identifying park service area delineation methods that would facilitate a more equitable and accessible park system for residents, Spatial Justice Seminar students analyzed equity and delineated potential park service areas in Salem. Throughout the term, students explored what spatial equity meant, reviewed precedent studies, completed observational-based research or spatial based research on Salem’s Park system, and then provided recommendations based on their findings. The spatial methods observed in the report are Euclidian distance, travel times, street network analysis using Thiessen polygons, and overlaying data. The nonspatial methods observed are surveys, intercept surveys, demographic data, and benchmarking. The most applicable precedent studies include the cities of Los Angeles, California, Fort Collins, Colorado, Eugene, Oregon, and Bellevue, Washington. Precedent studies integrated both spatial and non-spatial methods of data collection to have a comprehensive understanding of disparities in their park system.

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Pump Up Salem /projects/pump-up-salem/ Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:28:28 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=18621 Read More... from Pump Up Salem

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Students were tasked with the opportunity to design a campaign to educate Salem residents on heat pumps and their benefits to support the city’s sustainability initiatives. The overarching goal of the campaign was to increase awareness of heat pumps and an understanding of their benefits in Salem. To achieve this goal, students developed a strategy broken up into two parts: a storytelling community approach and enabling residents to overcome common barriers. Part one focuses on highlighting early adopters of heat pumps within the Salem community and using peer-to-peer communication with simple language to help educate others on the benefits of heat pumps. Part two focuses on overcoming common barriers in heat pump adoption, such as cost, by using action-oriented language and establishing relationships with potential partners like local banks.

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Navigating Urban Networks: A GIS Exploration of Walkability in Salem, Oregon /projects/navigating-urban-networks-a-gis-exploration-of-walkability-in-salem-oregon/ Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:26:45 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=18617 Read More... from Navigating Urban Networks: A GIS Exploration of Walkability in Salem, Oregon

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The City of Salem, Oregon, has shown dedication to achieving sustainability goals and revitalizing its neighborhoods by conducting walkability and comprehensive corridors assessments. As part of the Sustainable City Year Program, students from the Geography Department at the University of Oregon participated in an Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) class in collaboration with Salem to uncover and address the deficits in pedestrian pathways and to strategize enhancements to the city’s walkable corridors. By leveraging the city’s geospatial data, the students crafted an array of network service area maps, density maps, and weighted overlay maps using ArcGIS technology. The analyses considered demographic distribution, the location of public amenities, urban zoning, and commuting behaviors to assess the feasibility of pedestrian navigation in Salem. Students focused on three main variables: diversity, equity, and inclusion; pedestrian safety; and sidewalk accessibility. In examination of these focal points, the data not only captures the current state of Salem’s pedestrian pathways but also aligns with broader community needs. The ensuing narrative will summarize our research into clear recommendations for improving walkability in Salem, providing an overview suitable for readers interested in actionable strategies.

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Volunteerism & Civic Engagement – The Next Wave /projects/volunteerism-civic-engagement-the-next-wave/ Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:24:46 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=18613 Read More... from Volunteerism & Civic Engagement – The Next Wave

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The Strategic Planning and Cases course (J 453) at the University of Oregon worked with the City of Salem to develop outreach campaigns to address the City’s volunteerism and community engagement needs. Although each student team developed a campaign plan that focused on a distinct target audience, all teams had two common goals: 1) Improve and generate a stronger volunteer base through social media and 2) Increase outreach accessibility for all ages and backgrounds, which could then lead to increased volunteer rates and community engagement.

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City of Salem’s Commercial and Residential Operations Fee: Recommendations to Augment Fee Equity /projects/city-of-salems-commercial-and-residential-operations-fee-recommendations-to-augment-fee-equity/ Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:22:37 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=18609 Read More... from City of Salem’s Commercial and Residential Operations Fee: Recommendations to Augment Fee Equity

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The City of Salem implemented a City Operations Fee in 2019 to supplement revenue for its General Fund. The City was concerned, however, that the current fee structure does not adequately account for equity across commercial and residential classes. As one part of its effort to improve the equity of the fee’s administration, the City sought input from Fall 2023 University of Oregon (UO) PPPM 629, Public Budget Administration students.

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The Lowest Hanging Cherry: Stopping Idling /projects/the-lowest-hanging-cherry-stopping-idling/ Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:19:50 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=18605 Read More... from The Lowest Hanging Cherry: Stopping Idling

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Students in the PR Campaigns capstone course devised three strategies to reduce idling in the city of Salem, Oregon. Strategy 1 emphasizes the city leading by example, calling for city employees to cease idling to encourage broader community participation. This approach builds credibility within the city workforce and sets the tone for collective action. To implement this strategy, Tactic 1 suggests holding employee training sessions, involving higher-ups in promoting the cause and highlighting success stories through various media channels to inspire others. Strategy 2 focuses on educating the youth of Salem about the environmental consequences of idling. Students recognize children’s influence on their parents, and this strategy aims to create a culture of environmental responsibility from an early age. Students propose hosting school assemblies with environmental experts, conducting a student sticker/slogan creation campaign and leveraging social media to amplify the impact. Finally, Strategy 3 emphasizes the importance of spreading awareness about the health risks associated with idling. The plan suggests collaborating with media outlets and local businesses to disseminate information effectively. By strategically placing our message in spaces where people can actively participate, such as drive-throughs and parking lots, the campaign aims to maximize the reach and drive home the message of reducing idling for a healthier and more sustainable Salem.

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Timber Tectonics: Building for the Circular Economy /projects/timber-tectonics-building-for-the-circular-economy/ Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:15:01 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=18601 Read More... from Timber Tectonics: Building for the Circular Economy

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Exploring innovative kit-of-parts construction methods, our project centers on the adaptable nature of reciprocal frame construction, focusing on sustainable reuse of panel materials such as plywood and Mass Plywood Panels (MPP). The University of Oregon (UO)-Oregon State University (OSU) collaboration generated diverse ideas for a small seasonal pavilion in Salem, Oregon’s Highland Park. Following a review, the class united to consolidate the best concepts into a singular project. Operating as one team, the class developed construction details, prefabricated components, and sequenced on-site assembly. The OSU-UO Tallwood Design Institute’s (TDI) Emmerson Lab, UO College of Design’s Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, and CNC WoodCutters machined trial and final components. Student-led assembly and installation took place in Week 10, with a final review and installation in the Emmerson Lab. The insights of the review, along with the work of the term, culminated with many lessons learned and a new set of guidelines for an outdoor installation in Highland Park.

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