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
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:
2024-07-30: KATU - Man arrested for slingshot attack on MAX platform, victim hospitalized
2024-07-24: KOIN - Teen arrested for driving 137 mph on I-5 in Portland
2024-07-22: KPTV - ‘I don’t know who we’ve irritated’: Portland church deals with large amounts of vandalism
Gun violence:
2024-07-29: KOIN - Lloyd District murder marks 17th homicide since 'Safer Portland' announcement
2024-07-28: KGW - Oregon, Portland authorities offer reward for information related to fatal shooting of Uber driver
2024-07-24: KGW - Dawson Park rally draws Portland leaders for discussion about solutions to gun violence
2024-07-22: Willamette Week - Data Shows Shootings Remain Steady at Dawson Park as Mayor Offers Reassurances
2024-07-22: KPTV - Parents plead for change after shooting leaves 80+ shell casings at park near N Portland preschool
Crowd control, protests, and public order policing:
Police and policing:
2024-07-24: Willamette Week - A New Portland Police Oversight Board Won’t Be Allowed to Discipline the Police Chief
2024-07-24: Oregonian - Opinion: Portland’s new government needs a more practical approach to police supervision
2024-07-24: KGW - Police, outreach workers expand addiction treatment effort
2024-07-24: Willamette Week - A New Portland Police Oversight Board Won’t Be Allowed to Discipline the Police Chief
2024-07-24: Oregonian - Portland police union’s ballot initiative to shift focus of new oversight board fails to qualify
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:
2024-07-25: PPB - Man Deceased After Being Hit By Train, Major Crash Team Responding
2024-07-25: PPB - PPB, Partner Agencies to Conduct Weekend DUII Mission
2024-07-25: PPB - Bicyclist Dies from Medical Event
2024-07-25: PPB - PPB's North Precinct Vandalized During Demonstration, Nine Arrested
2024-07-24: PPB - Woman Indicted in Connection to Deadly Dog Attack
2024-07-23: PPB - Suspect Arrested in Connection to May Homicide (Photo)
2024-07-23: PPB - Pedestrian Struck and Killed in the Cully Neighborhood Identified
2024-07-23: PPB - Victims Killed in Shooting at Boat Ramp Identified
2024-07-22: PPB - PPB Conducts Human Trafficking Mission on 82nd Avenue (Photo)
2024-07-22: PPB - PPB Seeks Information About 2014 Homicide (Photo)
Other stories:
Politics and policy
City:
2024-07-24: Willamette Week - Water Tiger Spending Reached $60,000, Records Show
2024-07-24: Mercury - How Rene Gonzalez Found Common Ground With a Right Wing Provocateur
County:
2024-07-28: KOIN - County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards talks deflection, accountability and education
2024-07-27: Willamette Week - Multnomah County Releases Deflection Plan for People Stopped for Possession
2024-07-25: Willamette Week - Multnomah County Board Approves Money for Deflection Center After Marathon Session
2024-07-22: Willamette Week - Meieran to Make Another Run at Ambulance Staffing
State:
2024-07-25: Willamette Week - Oregon Health Authority Scrapped Summer Anti-Alcohol Television Ad Campaign
2024-07-25: Willamette Week - Kotek’s Behavioral Health Initiative Director, Juliana Wallace, Departs
Federal:
Transportation:
2024-07-25: Bike Portland - Biketown adds e-scooters, with thousands more on the way
2024-07-22: Bike Portland - Debate over street plaza revolves around costs and public benefits, PBOT says
Education:
Addiction and recovery:
Housing and homelessness:
2024-07-24: StreetRoots - City contractors post sweep notifications for homeless encampments amid heat wave
Other news
Growth and resilience: