Back to Basics Ep 14: Politics and Public Safety: Sheriff Matt English on Keeping Oregon Safe

In this episode of the Back to Basics Podcast, Jeff Helfrich sits down with Hood River County Sheriff Matt English for a wide-ranging look at what it truly takes to protect Oregon communities today. They talk through the politics of working across state lines with Washington, how the defund-the-police movement reshaped expectations, and the constant fight to stretch limited budgets without sacrificing public safety. Sheriff English also pulls back the curtain on the demanding world of search-and-rescue and the day-to-day challenges most people never see — from partnership building to navigating shifting priorities in Salem. It’s an honest, grounded conversation with one of Oregon’s most experienced law enforcement leaders.