News Roundup December 31, 2023 - January 7, 2024
Hotel to become treatment facility, police fight street takeovers, crime down in 2023, PF&R creates new overdose team, fights in Salem over alcohol risk education, county jail inspections criticized
At a glance:
A dispute between Commissioner Gonzalez and DA Schmidt over the interpretation of data showing stress in the criminal justice system was reported in Willamette Week.
The city, state, and county worked together to purchase the Lolo Pass hotel with plans to turn it into a drug treatment facility. KATU, Willamette Week, Mercury
Portland police ran a mission to combat illegal street takeovers. KOIN
Year-end data showed that crime was down in 2023 year-over-year, but more progress needed. KATU
Portland Fire and Rescue announced a new specialized overdose response team, intended to reduce the impact of responding to overdose calls downtown. Willamette Week, KPTV
The state's efforts to educate consumers on the dangers of alcohol consumption were met by criticism from the alcohol industry. The state spends nearly a million dollars a year promoting alcohol consumption despite indications that alcohol kills more Oregonians than fentanyl.
The volunteers who participated in this year's county jail inspections had harsh words for the county. Willamette Week
A man with chest pains was taken to the hospital by bus because no ambulance was available. AMR and the County are fighting over blame for poor ambulance availability. KPTV
Under-the-radar:
Portland Copwatch released their January "People's Police Report" newsletter, the first of three yearly editions.
Reports released this week:
2024-01-03: IPR Director's Report
Upcoming events
January 10, 2024 (Wednesday) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing (PCCEP) Settlement and Policy Subcommittee Meeting (website)
January 10, 2024 (Wednesday) 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM: Police Training Advisory Council (TAC) Meeting (website)
Opportunities and calls for volunteer service
The City of Portland seeks volunteers for several advisory groups:
Portland Fire and Rescue Community Advisory Committee deadline is February 4, 2024
Portland Utility Board deadline is January 22, 2024
Cannabis Policy Oversight Team (CPOT) deadline is January 15, 2024
PPB seeks feedback on directives under review (first phase):
January 15, 2024: 0025.00 Procedural Justice, 0620.00 Body-Worn Camera Use and Management, 0640.52 Vehicle Collision Review Board, 0870.25 Temporary Detention Areas in Police Facilities, 870.20 Custody and Transportation of Subjects
January 31, 2024: 0345.00 Employee Information System (EIS), 850.20 Police Response to Mental Health Crisis, 850.21 Peace Office Custody (Civil), 850.22 Police Response to Mental Health Director Holds and Elopement, 850.25 Police Response to Mental Health Facilities
PPB seeks feedback on directives under review (second phase):
January 15, 2024: 0630.61 Stolen Vehicles, 0635.20 Community Member Observation of Police
Policing and crime
Highly covered incidents:
Crime and the impact of crime:
2024-01-04: KATU - Community mourns Albany man killed in Northeast Portland, seeks justice for tragic loss
2024-01-03: Bike Portland - Someone drove their SUV into a Portlander’s living room, then ran away
Police and policing:
2024-01-07: PPB - Marquam Bridge Reopens After 10 hour Crisis Incident
2024-01-06: Oregonian - Suspect arrested after hourslong standoff with police in SE Portland
2024-01-05: PPB - Arrest Made in Operation MistleTow Investigation Involving Trafficking Stolen Cars
2024-01-04: KOIN - Men from California busted with 'huge' amount of meth in Oregon, officials say
2024-01-01: KOIN - PPB patrols in Entertainment District 'a great thing'
PPB Staffing Report Updates January 2 (change since November 1):
sworn members: 791 (-9) sworn officers: 536 (+2)
Officers in training: 98 (+2)
Officers non-patrol: 123 (no change)
Officers on leave: 25 (+1)
Patrol officers: 292 (no change). East: 101 (+3), Central: 97 (-6), North: 94 (+3)
Police-produced media:
Other stories:
Politics and policy
Election:
2024-01-07: Rose City Reform - Candidate Tracker
2024-01-07: KOIN - Portland city council candidate Angelita Morillo on 'breaking the divide'
2024-01-04: Progress Portland - Jesse Cornett, District 3 Candidate
Portland government transition:
Criminal justice system:
2024-01-02: KOIN - Accused shoplifters miss court dates while PPB cracks down on retail theft over holiday season
City:
2024-01-07: Oregonian - First 24 hours of 2024 in Portland show the promise, peril city faces in new year
2024-01-05: OPB - The fate of Portland’s toppled monuments hits a snag
2024-01-03: Bike Portland - Portland Parks will invest $15 million to fully fund the Steel Bridge Skatepark
2024-01-03: Mercury - Steel Bridge Skatepark Will Finally See the Light of Day
County:
2024-01-06: Willamette Week - Volunteers Say County Jail Inspection Fell Short of Voters’ Mandate
2024-01-04: KOIN - People for Portland political group puts up new anti-Mike Schmidt billboard
2024-01-02: KPTV - Portland bus driver steps in amid ambulance shortage
State:
2024-01-07: KATU - YVYV: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek discusses Central City Task Force and ways to revitalize Portland
2024-01-04: Bike Portland - New Oregon laws impact bicycle passing, speeding, drunk bicycling, and more
Federal:
2024-01-07: KATU - YVYV: Oregon Senator Ron Wyden discusses 2024 priorities and a looming government shutdown
2024-01-05: KPTV - Supreme Court to hear no-fly list case against FBI filed by Oregon man
Transportation:
2024-01-07: Oregonian - Portland records 4th Christmas Day traffic fatality
2024-01-06: KGW - FAA grounds Boeing jets for inspections after emergency landing
2024-01-05: KPTV - Graffiti on Portland’s highways is a growing problem
Education:
Addiction and behavioral health:
2024-01-05: KATU - OHA safe drinking ad upsets wine industry, lawmakers
2024-01-04: Oregonian - Oregon children, teens will see expanded mental health, addiction treatment beds soon
2024-01-03: KATU - Lolo Pass hotel to become drug treatment facility
Housing: