Bracken McKey of Washington County urges collaboration across industries to prevent crime before it starts.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, OR / ACCESS Newswire / January 29, 2026 / After more than 25 years handling some of Oregon's most serious criminal cases, attorney and former Chief Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey is speaking out about a lesson he learned early and often: crime prevention works best when industries work together.

McKey, who retired from public service in 2024 after decades with the Washington County District Attorney's Office, says many of the most effective crime prevention efforts he saw did not come from law enforcement alone.

"Some of the strongest cases I worked on started long before a courtroom," McKey said. "They started with businesses, industries, and public agencies sharing information and taking responsibility together."

Why Cross-Industry Crime Prevention Matters

According to national and state crime-prevention research, collaboration between law enforcement and private industry plays a critical role in reducing organized and repeat offenses. Studies from the U.S. Department of Justice have shown that public-private partnerships can reduce certain types of economic and property crime by 20 to 30 percent when information-sharing and coordinated response systems are in place.

In Oregon, industry-based crime prevention programs have helped curb construction theft, intellectual property crime, and organized fraud. These crimes often cross jurisdictions and rely on gaps between sectors.

"Criminal networks don't operate in silos," McKey said. "They move across systems. If industries and agencies don't communicate, those gaps get exploited."

Lessons From High-Impact Cases

During his career, McKey handled complex cases that required coordination with industries outside traditional law enforcement channels. That work earned him the Recording Industry Association of America Gold Record Law Enforcement Award in 2009 and the Oregon Construction Industry Crime Prevention Law Enforcement Partner Award in 2014.

Those cases stood out because they relied on shared responsibility.

"The turning point was almost always collaboration," McKey said. "Once industries became active partners, the outcomes changed."

He noted that these partnerships helped identify patterns earlier, preserve evidence more effectively, and reduce long-term harm.

From Enforcement to Prevention

McKey believes prevention should be viewed as a business and community issue, not just a criminal one.

Property crime, intellectual property theft, and construction fraud cost U.S. businesses billions of dollars each year. The FBI estimates that intellectual property theft alone costs the U.S. economy up to $600 billion annually.

"When businesses see crime as someone else's problem, the cost grows," McKey said. "Prevention is cheaper, safer, and more effective than prosecution after the fact."

What Individuals and Organizations Can Do Now

McKey says meaningful crime prevention does not require sweeping reforms. It starts with practical steps.

"Pay attention to patterns," he said. "Train employees. Share information responsibly. Ask questions when something doesn't add up."

He also encourages businesses and community leaders to engage with local law enforcement early, not only after an incident occurs.

"You don't need a crisis to start a conversation," McKey said. "Most progress happens before anything goes wrong."

A Long-Term View of Public Safety

Now in private practice as owner and attorney at McKey Law, McKey continues to draw on his public service experience. His perspective remains shaped by what he saw work over time.

"Good partnerships don't make headlines," he said. "They quietly reduce harm. And that's the goal."

He hopes more industries will view crime prevention as a shared responsibility and an ongoing process.

"Everyone benefits when systems work together," McKey said. "That's how trust is built."

About Bracken McKey

Bracken McKey is an attorney based in Washington County, Oregon, and the owner of McKey Law. He previously served for more than two decades with the Washington County District Attorney's Office, including roles as Senior Deputy District Attorney and Chief Deputy District Attorney. Over the course of his public service career, McKey handled many of Oregon's most serious and complex cases and was recognized with the Recording Industry Association of America Gold Record Law Enforcement Award and the Oregon Construction Industry Crime Prevention Law Enforcement Partner Award. He retired from public service in 2024 and continues to work in the legal field, drawing on his experience in prosecution, leadership, and cross-industry collaboration.

Media Contact

Bracken McKey
[email protected]

SOURCE: Bracken McKey



View the original
on ACCESS Newswire


Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. XPRMedia and this Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you are affiliated with this page and would like it removed please contact [email protected]