Not every police agency provides a log of its responses, and few do it with the finesse of the Forest Grove Police Department. Every week, we post the goings on as provided by this community 25 miles west of Portland, not because it's earth-shatteringly important, but because it provides a glimpse into the world of modern small-town policing.

During the week, Forest Grove police officers were engaged in more than 359 activities, both reported and self-initiated. Here are some of the highlights:

April 13

* Police contacted a man who was reportedly seen smoking methamphetamine behind a dumpster at a shopping center. The man was breaking down boxes for a business in exchange for beer, which is not a crime.

* A caller reported two people embroiled in an escalating argument. Police learned the reporting party had called 911 to scare the other person. Both were advised this was a poor use of 911.

* A woman reported her adult son was banging on her bedroom door in the middle of the night upset that she had consumed all the alcohol in the house, which he reportedly needed to get through the day. Officers advised the parents of the eviction process.

April 14

* A caller said she returned from a long day out and found the front door unlocked and her cats acting strangely. Police found nothing missing or out of place.

* A vehicle crashed into a parked car and a witness saw the driver flee the scene. Officers located a damaged vehicle matching the description a few blocks away. With a blood-alcohol content more than twice the legal limit, the driver was arrested for DUII as well as hit and run.

* A woman at a church was lying on the ground acting strangely. Police believe she may have been experiencing mental health issues, but was not a threat to herself or others. She moved along without incident.

April 15

* A caller reported that a man pulling a wagon was speaking to the driver of a suspicious vehicle in front of a residence which the caller thought was a drug house. Officers found two guys talking about fishing.

* Officers broke up a fight between multiple people, allegedly involving hand tools, which began as an argument over inadequate pay for work performed.

April 16

* A caller reported finding a sex toy inscribed with expletives on their front porch. Officers are investigating, and the caller reported that they will be installing security cameras.

* A pair of pants were stolen from the laundry room of an apartment complex.

* A woman reported that several boys had gotten into her house and were simply wandering around the residence, but further advised it may have been her imagination. Officers found no boys, or evidence of them having been there.

April 17

* A patrol officer spotted a man known to have a suspended license driving along a busy road. The driver was stopped and found to have drug paraphernalia, which was a violation of his parole. He was arrested.

* A night shift officer was performing a premise check near a bar and noticed a suspicious woman who hastily walked away after seeing the police, leaving her belongings. She was stopped for a pedestrian violation, and officers found she had an outstanding warrant and was carrying suspected methamphetamine.

* Night shift officers located a parked vehicle associated with a man known to have an outstanding felony warrant. Officers found the man inside the location, as well as a usable amount of methamphetamine.

April 18

* The Forest Grove Police Department presented a scam education workshop at an assisted living community to help residents learn how to prevent being victims of swindles and fraud.

* A woman came to a man's residence asking for $10, then spray painted his security camera and RV windshield when he declined. The man requested that the woman be trespassed from the location.

* An officer stopped a bicycle rider for going over 40 mph in a 25 mph zone. Officers learned the bike had a small motor attached and that the rider's driver's license had been suspended - which includes all motorized vehicles. She was arrested for driving while suspended.

April 19

* A caller reported teens in the restroom at a park who appeared to be dealing drugs. Officers located three adults who consented to a search of their belongings, which yielded suspected methamphetamine, marijuana and a stolen out of state ID. The owner of the belongings was arrested.

* Police received a report that multiple juveniles were shooting airsoft pellets at kids playing soccer. Parents had resolved the issue by the time officers arrived.

* Officers arrested a man for the murder of a 57-year old woman that occurred on March 19.

-- Samantha Swindler

@editorswindler / 503-294-4031

sswindler@oregonian.com