News Roundup January 7-14, 2024
Another fatal police shooting, weather emergency kills despite shelter efforts, PF&R criticized over leadership of PSR, commissioner's car torched, Rubio runs for mayor
At a glance:
A community group prepared a report identifying PPB officers with unusually high uses of force, including significant outliers. The PPA counters that even for outlier officers, most use of force is category 4, the lowest level of force. KOIN, Report
The weekend's unusually cold and snowy weather led to at least one death in Multnomah County. The county is opening more warming shelters, and seeking volunteers. KGW, Mercury
The auditor reported that Portland Fire and Rescue is insufficiently committed to its community health programs including CHAT and PSR. Full report, Mercury, Willamette Week
Commissioner and mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez had a car torched at his home. Arson is suspected. Mercury, KGW
Police shot and killed a man early Sunday morning after a standoff. KGW
Commissioner Rubio announced that she is running to be Portland's mayor. OPB, Mercury, Willamette Week
Reports released this week:
Upcoming events
January 18, 2024 (Thursday) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: FITCOG MEETING JANUARY 18, 2024 (website)
January 17, 2024 (Wednesday) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing (PCCEP) Community Engagement Subcommittee 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
Crime trends:
2024-01-08: KATU - Preliminary city data shows sharp reduction in 2023 from Portland's record-breaking 2022 gun violence
Crime and the impact of crime:
2024-01-13: KPTV - 1 seriously injured in Hillsdale shooting
2024-01-12: KPTV - Man dead after stabbing in Old Town neighborhood
2024-01-11: KPTV - 30-year-old man found dead during welfare check identified by Portland police
2024-01-11: KATU - First 2024 homicide leaves Portland seeking justice
2024-01-08: KGW - Mother grieves New Year's Eve shooting victim
Police and policing:
2024-01-11: KOIN - Report on use of force by PPB is cause for concern, community organizers say
2024-01-10: Willamette Week - Officer Brian Hunzeker Performed Outside Work for Years Without Permission
2024-01-10: Oregonian - Portland police release names of officers who fatally shot Tyrone Johnson outside Mall 205
2024-01-08: Oregonian - A man brought traffic to a halt on Marquam Bridge for hours. Why police allowed him to walk away
Police-produced media:
2024-01-12: YouTube - Human Trafficking Response and Intervention Team Impact Award
2024-01-11: YouTube - Human Trafficking Awareness
Fire:
2024-01-10: Willamette Week - Members of the Firefighters’ Union Have Long Benefited From Overtime Pay
2024-01-10: KPTV - Portland Fire & Rescue teaches public to turn off water, protect pipes ahead of winter storm
Other stories:
2024-01-10: KOIN - Portland area 911 centers dealing with system outages prior to potential winter storm
2024-01-08: KATU - Portland's BOEC launches application for full-time 9-1-1 dispatchers, open until Jan. 29
Politics and policy
Election:
2024-01-14: Rose City Reform candidate tracker
2024-01-11: Progress Portland - Episode 10: Christopher Olson, District 2 Candidate
2024-01-09: OPB - Portland Commissioner Carmen Rubio announces mayoral campaign
Criminal justice system:
City:
2024-01-10: Willamette Week - City of Portland Faces Lawsuit After Babysitter Concussed by Irving Park Lamp Post
County:
2024-01-13: Willamette Week - National Institute of Corrections Recommends Sweeping Changes at Multnomah County Jails
2024-01-09: KGW - Multnomah County officials misidentified deceased man for months
2024-01-09: Mercury - Auditor: County Contracting Rules Bent to Favor Seattle-Based Nonprofit
State:
2024-01-12: Willamette Week - Kotek: No New Taxes for Housing in 2024
2024-01-11: Bike Portland - Bill would create statewide electric micromobility task force
2024-01-10: OPB - 4 things to know about Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s first year in office
2024-01-09: Willamette Week - Secretary of State Rejects Objections to Measure 110 Repeal
Federal:
2024-01-10: Willamette Week - Staffers Allege Jamie McLeod-Skinner’s Driver Feared Physical Violence From Her
2024-01-08: KPTV - Portland man takes no-fly list dispute to the Supreme Court
Transportation:
2024-01-12: Bike Portland - Construction finally set to begin on $7.8 million investment in Brentwood-Darlington
2024-01-10: Bike Portland - PBOT director responds to record fatalities, budget woes, trust issues in radio interview
2024-01-10: Bike Portland - PBOT’s new ‘StreetsPDX’ website is an invaluable resource
Education:
Economy:
Addiction and behavioral health:
2024-01-13: Oregonian - Oregon lawmaker aims to rewrite Oregon civil commitment law; experts say it’s not enough
2024-01-10: Willamette Week - A Man Who Wants to Be Hospitalized Spent Most of a Year in Jail
2024-01-10: KATU - Experts urge lawmakers to strengthen youth prevention, addiction services in Oregon
2024-01-10: OPB - Oregon lawmakers are floating a plan to make low-level drug possession a crime once again
Housing:
2024-01-12: Street Roots - Supreme Court agrees to hear homelessness case
2024-01-12: Oregonian - Portland sweeps large RV-heavy homeless encampment
2024-01-11: KATU - Oregon's housing authority asks lawmakers for another $24M to keep shelters open
2024-01-09: KATU - Governor Kotek marks one year in office, announces next steps on homelessness
Other news
Growth and resilience: