Aviation/security firm proposes posting sentries at Oregon voting centers

Several county clerk offices throughout Oregon received an intriguing letter from Evergreen Defense and Security Services offering extra security personnel to help secure voting centers, according to the secretary of state’s office on Friday.

The president of EDSS, located in McMinnville, wrote to several, but not all, Oregon county clerks, anticipating the possibility of potential heated disagreements among voters at ballot drop off points on Tuesday. The firm went on to offer extra security personnel to assist the counties on Election Day.

“During this crucial election Evergreen Defense and Security Services has recognized the potential conflict that could occur on November 4,” Tom Wiggins, president of EDSS wrote in an email to a county clerk obtained by PolitickerOR.com. “Never has there been a more heated battle in the race for president and voters seem more involved and determined to achieve their respective goals. EDSS proposes to post sentries at each voting center on November 4 to assure that disputes among citizens do not get out of control. All guards will be unarmed but capable of stopping any violence that may occur, and detaining troublemakers until law enforcement help arrives.”

The offer has baffled county clerks and the Elections Division, who did not solicit the security help from the private organization.

“Upon reading the email you sent to county clerks I was perplexed and am hopeful you could answer three questions,” John LIndback of the Elections Division wrote to EDSS Director of Operations Gary Dodson in an email. “Were you offering to do this for free for counties or were you proposing that your firm be hired for this purpose? Are you aware that county clerks rely on their county sheriffs for their security needs during an election and that state agencies are prepared and ready to assist in the event of emergencies? Is your firm planning to post ‘sentries’ at any county with or without the permission of county and state election officials?”

“Obviously,” Lindback continued, “if your answer to question #3 is yes we would be very concerned and would need to discuss this with you and the president of your firm.”

Calls to Evergreen Aviation, which oversees EDSS, were not immediately returned. According to their website, Evergreen Aviation International is a privately-owned global aviation company that specializes in air freight. According to Sourcewatch.com, the organization has had previous ties to the CIA.

According to the secretary of state’s office, counties rely on their local sheriff offices to provide security for ballot drop-off locations on Election Day. If they anticipate problems, they can get additional help from the state.

Douglas County Clerk Barbara Nielsen received one of the letters. She said the offer was unsolicited and that Douglas County had no security concerns on Election Day.