News Roundup January 28 - February 4, 2024
PSR budget cuts, police car theft missions yield results, several shootings, addiction pilot program hamstrung by lack of beds, AMR staffing worsening, 90 day fentanyl emergency
At a glance:
PF&R proposed a $3 million budget cut to Portland Street Response. Commissioner Gonzalez is seen by critics as opposed to the program created by his predecessor. Commissioner Rubio, running against Gonzalez to be mayor, called the move 'unacceptable'. Oregonian
Portland's cannabis dispensaries, forced to rely primarily on cash due to federal regulations excluding them from electronic payment systems, have been targets of armed robbery. KOIN, Oregonian
Lack of treatment beds is slowing growth of a new program pairing police officers with outreach workers for addiction treatment. KGW
The ambulance staffing crisis continues to get worse. Based on data, Portlanders are advised to postpone medical emergencies to avoid Friday and Saturday nights. KGW
Governor Kotek, Chair Vega Pederson, and Mayor Wheeler declared a 90 day state of emergency for fentanyl this week. KPTV
Under-the-radar:
Upcoming events
February 7, 2024 (Wednesday) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: COCL Town Hall / Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing (PCCEP) Settlement and Policy Subcommittee Meeting (website)
February 7, 2024 (Wednesday) 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Citizen Review Committee Meeting (CRC) (website)
Opportunities and calls for volunteer service
The City of Portland seeks volunteers for several advisory groups:
Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight Group (FITCOG) deadline is February 18
PPB seeks feedback on directives under review (first phase):
PPB seeks feedback on directives under review (second phase):
February 15: 0305.00 Active Bystandership Intervention and Anti-Retaliation, 0640.20 Sexual Assault Kits and Sexual Assault Investigations
Policing and crime
Highly covered incidents:
2024-02-01: KGW - 1 arrested after MAX station knife attack
2024-01-31: KGW - Portland woman convicted for pushing child onto MAX tracks
2024-01-29: KOIN - Hendon house in N. Portland for sale after years of criminal activity
Shootings:
2024-02-03: KOIN - Street killing leaves man dead in NE Portland
2024-02-02: KATU - 1 wounded in shooting at Southeast Portland karaoke bar
2024-01-29: KOIN - Lents neighborhood shooting victim ID'd, declared homicide
2024-01-29: Oregonian - Police ID Gresham man, 31, fatally shot in SE Portland
Crime and the impact of crime:
2024-01-31: KGW - How a iPhone, a CO2 machine helped solve a Portland home burglary
2024-01-31: Willamette Week - Why Local Leaders Can’t Seem to Clean the Graffiti Off Portland
2024-01-30: KGW - Deputies: Hit-and-run injures teen on I-84
2024-01-30: KGW - Signage destroyed in northeast Portland street
2024-01-30: Oregonian - Theft of more than $3 million worth of cryptocurrency lands 22-year-old Portland man in prison
Police and policing:
2024-02-02: KOIN - Portland Police K9, handler headed to the Super Bowl LVIII
2024-02-02: OPB - Some Portland police use low-level force at a rate far higher than their peers
2024-01-31: Willamette Week - Fallout From the Hardesty Leak Lands Two Cops on the Brady List
2024-01-29: Oregonian - Court order stemming from 2020 racial justice protests in Portland expires
2024-01-29: KOIN - The impact of Portland Police Bureau's stolen vehicle operations
Police press releases:
2024-02-03: PPB - One Deceased After Shooting in Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood
2024-02-03: PPB - Man Dies After Shooting in a Centennial Neighborhood Bar
2024-02-02: PPB - UPDATE: Local Podiatrist Facing New Sex Abuse Charges, Additional Victims Sought (Photo)
2024-02-01: PPB - PPB Needs Public's Help Locating Serial Armed Robber (Photo)
2024-01-30: PPB - UPDATE: PPB Needs Public's Help Locating Homicide Suspect (Photo)
2024-01-29: PPB - PPB Joins Other LE Agencies in Safety Belt Blitz (Photo)
Police-produced media:
2024-02-01: YouTube - PPB's Last Crown Victoria
2024-02-01: YouTube - The Last Crown Victoria - Portland Police Bureau
Politics and policy
City:
2024-02-02: Oregonian - Fire bureau floats cuts to Portland Street Response as budget uncertainty looms
2024-02-02: KGW - Rene Gonzalez says he was 'accosted' on MAX train in Portland
2024-02-01: Mercury - Rene Gonzalez Holds Sizable Fundraising Lead in Portland Mayor’s Race
2024-01-31: OPB - Portland bureaus seek to fill budget gaps from climate fund, as committee concerns arise
2024-01-30: Willamette Week - Gonzalez Significantly Outraises Rubio and Mapps in Early Stages of Mayoral Race
2024-01-30: Willamette Week - Prosper Portland Proposes Settling Lawsuit Over Contract to Demolish Downtown Post Office
County:
2024-01-31: KGW - Ambulance staffing crisis worsens in Multnomah County
2024-01-29: Oregonian - Former Portland-Multnomah County homeless services head to seek county commission seat
2024-01-29: Willamette Week - Gresham City Councilor Vince Jones-Dixon Declares Candidacy for Multnomah County Board
State:
2024-02-04: KATU - YVYV: Senate Democrats discuss short session priorities including Measure 110
2024-02-04: KATU - YVYV: Senator Tim Knopp lays out the Republican priorities for the 2024 short session
2024-02-02: KPTV - Oregon Health Authority apologizes for not posting 2021 alcohol tax study in ‘timely manner’
Transportation:
2024-02-02: Bike Portland - New loading platforms coming to SW Broadway bike lane
2024-01-31: Bike Portland - Safety goes dark as intersection daylighting lags in Portland
2024-01-30: Bike Portland - The tale of TriMet’s #17 and how to lie with a bus schedule
2024-01-29: Bike Portland - Anti-PBOT extremists cut down ‘Road Closed’ signs in Rose City Park
Education:
Addiction:
2024-02-02: KGW - Multnomah County grand jury indicts fentanyl dealer
2024-01-31: KGW - Portland, county and state declare fentanyl emergency
2024-01-31: KPTV - Alcohol is third-leading cause of preventable death in Oregon
2024-01-30: OPB - What Oregon’s drug crisis looks like on the streets of Portland: Overdoses every day
2024-01-30: KGW - Mom tries to help her homeless, addicted daughter in Portland
2024-01-29: KGW - Lacking beds, PPB struggles to connect drug users with treatment
Housing:
2024-02-04: KATU - Blanchet House leader remains optimistic despite increase in homeless rate
2024-02-03: KGW - Portland State University: Homelessness increased 8.5% statewide
2024-02-02: Willamette Week - Realtors, Environmentalists Stake Out Opposing Turf on Housing Ahead of February Session
2024-01-31: Street Roots - Local responses to Oregon’s freezing weather overshadowed by their untimely closures
2024-01-31: Willamette Week - BIPOC-Run Nonprofit Seeks to Turn Long-Empty Car Wash Into Affordable Housing
Other news
Growth and resilience: