News Roundup July 21-28, 2024

Gun violence unabated in some parks, protestors arrested after vandalizing PPB facility, OHA continues bowing to alcohol industry pressure, MultCo green lights deflection center plans found wanting

Jul 31, 2024

Note to readers: this edition of the newsletter is delayed and abbreviated because I went on vacation this weekend. I've done my best to capture the big stories in the limited time I have to devote to this before returning to work.
If you're looking for more content, I highly recommend checking out Rose City Reform's in-depth coverage of the election.

At a glance:

Protests: Protestors vandalized PPB's north precinct facility
Crime: Gun violence continues to plague Portland, with the impact disproportionately felt in some areas. Gun violence is down from recent highs, but still far exceeds pre-pandemic rates.
Oregon: OHA efforts to educate the public on the dangers of alcohol, which kills more Oregonians each year than fentanyl, are running afoul of the alcohol industry.
Multnomah County: M110 deflection center plans are taking shape; acclaim has not been universal. Also, the ambulance crisis continues.

Upcoming events

July 30, 2024 (Tuesday) 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM: North Precinct Annual Report Meeting (website)

Opportunities and calls for volunteer service

Bicycle Advisory Committee and Fixing Our Streets Oversight Committee (FOSOC) are recruiting new members, as are several other groups. See the city's volunteer job board for details
PPB's use of force and force reporting directives are up for their second round of review. Comment deadlines on July 31 and August 9. PPB

Policing and crime

Crime and the impact of crime:

Gun violence:

Crowd control, protests, and public order policing:

2024-07-25: KPTV - Portland Police North Precinct vandalized during demonstration, 9 arrested

Police and policing:

PPB Staffing Report Updates July 24, 2024 (change since June 27):

sworn members: 794 (-5) sworn officers: 540 (-4)
Officers in training: 95 (-5)
Officers non-patrol: 127 (+2)
Officers on leave: 22 (-1)
Patrol officers: 296 (no change). East: 95 (-6), Central: 111 (+10), North: 90 (-4)

Police news releases: