News Roundup June 16-23, 2024
County races to implement M110 reforms, feds take down 2020 fence, PPB stops data report is out, JOHS renewal debate ahead of controversial renewal
At a glance:
County commissioners, reform groups, DA-elect Vasquez, and others expressed concern over Multnomah County's proposed implementation of Measure 110 reform (deflection). KGW
Security fencing around the downtown federal courthouse has been taken down, replaced by hardened building security. The fencing was put up in summer of 2020. KPTV
Portland police have increased traffic enforcement work significantly, but have not yet returned to 2019 levels. KATU, Report
The City of Portland's negotiations with Multnomah County over the renewal of their contract for the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) is nearing conclusion. Willamette Week
Under-the-radar:
Local anarchists claimed responsibility for two attacks on critical energy infrastructure in forest park, a power lineand a gas pipeline worksite. Separately, anarchists claimed responsibility for an arson in NE Portland.
Oregon's unemployment system is still significantly backlogged, with most claimants waiting longer than three weeks. KGW.
City of Portland's use of private debt collection puts Portlanders at risk of financial ruin despite the auditor's recommendation to make changes. KGW
Reports released this week:
Upcoming events
June 24, 2024(Monday) 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC) agenda
June 26, 2024 (Wednesday) 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing (PCCEP) Forum on Brain Injuries, Policing, and Public Safety (website)
June 25, 2024 (Tuesday) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Police Bureauwide Advisory Committee (PBAC) June 2024 Meeting (website)
Opportunities and calls for volunteer service
PCCEP, CRC, and PRB are recruiting for new members. See the city's volunteer job board for details
PPB has several directives up for review, including policies on secondary employment, traffic crash investigations, and field training for new officers. PPB directive review
Policing and crime
Crime and the impact of crime:
2024-06-22: KATU - Stabbed man drives into oncoming traffic, crashes head-on in NE Portland
2024-06-21: KPTV - Man dies two days after assault in NW Portland
2024-06-17: KPTV - Golden tabernacle stolen from SW Portland Catholic church recovered, one item still missing
Gun violence:
Policy:
Incidents:
Crowd control, protests, and public order policing:
Police and policing:
Police missions:
Traffic enforcement:
Body-worn cameras:
Mishaps:
Shootings:
Multnomah County's implementation of M110 reform:
2024-06-23: Oregonian - Editorial: Multnomah County’s Measure 110 redux
2024-06-21: Oregonian - Top broker of Measure 110 changes unhappy with Multnomah County deflection plan
2024-06-20: KGW - Police sound off on Multnomah County drug deflection program plan
2024-06-20: KGW - DA-elect Nathan Vasquez critical of Multnomah County's 'revolving door' plan for drug deflection
2024-06-20: KGW - Portland police union president fears Multnomah County drug deflection plan lacks 'carrot or stick'
PPB Staffing Report Updates June 18 (change from June 6):
sworn members: 810 (-2) sworn officers: 551 (no change)
Officers in training: 102 (+1)
Officers non-patrol: 130 (-8)
Officers on leave: 23 (-1)
Patrol officers: 296 (+8). East: 103 (+3), Central: 101 (+4), North: 92 (+1)
Police-produced media:
2024-06-18: YouTube - Special guest appearance at the East Precinct Stolen Vehicle Operation.
2024-06-12: YouTube - Join the Best - Now Hiring Police Officers
Police news releases:
2024-06-22: PPB - Suspect Facing Robbery and Assault Charges Following Downtown Shooting
2024-06-21: PPB - Human Trafficking Mission Results in Arrests, Seizure of Firearm
2024-06-21: PPB - Man Dies Following Assault in Northwest District
2024-06-21: PPB - PPB Releases 2023 Annual Stops Data Report
2024-06-20: PPB - UPDATE #2: Suspect Indicted for Murder Related March 2023 Triple Homicide in Portsmouth Neighborhood
2024-06-19: PPB - UPDATE: Sacred Catholic Object Recovered
2024-06-17: PPB - UPDATE: Pedestrian Who Died in February 5 Crash Identified
2024-06-16: PPB - Death Investigation Underway In Northwest Portland
Private security:
2024-06-21: KATU - Security guards pin woman to the ground at Randall Children's Hospital
2024-06-16: Willamette Week - City Council Votes to Beef Up Security at City Facilities
Politics and policy
Elections:
2024-06-23: KOIN - Tiffani Penson on the race for Portland City Council position 2
2024-06-23: KOIN - Activist Liv Osthus on mayoral campaign to restore Portland
2024-06-21: BikePortland - What would 40 Portland political candidates do to boost bicycling?
2024-06-19: Willamette Week - How Many Candidates Can You Rank in Portland’s Ranked-Choice Voting?
Portland government transition:
2024-06-18: KGW - Mayor Ted Wheeler introduces Portland's new way of doing business, 2 weeks from soft launch
Criminal justice system:
2024-06-23: Oregonian - Oregon launches new public defender division to stem constitutional crisis
2024-06-21: KPTV - 5 charged with conspiring to smuggle drugs into Multnomah County jail
2024-06-18: Oregonian - Oregon judge’s decision to use second graders as special jurors draws DA complaint
2024-06-17: Willamette Week - State Agrees to Pay $340,000 to Man Wrongfully Imprisoned for Six Years
City:
Joint Office of Homeless Services:
Downtown:
City's impact on businesses, families:
Mysterious firing:
County:
2024-06-21: KATU - Multnomah County officials promise sobering center will be operational by Sept 1
2024-06-19: Skanner - Black Leaders Urge County to Continue Funding Multnomah Mothers Trust
State:
2024-06-21: Willamette Week - Oregon Health Authority Fires Longtime Head of Equity and Inclusion
2024-06-20: KGW - Many Oregonians waiting over 3 weeks for unemployment benefits
2024-06-19: Willamette Week - Is This Your Stuff?
2024-06-17: Willamette Week - Departed OHSU Exec Could Collect $550,000 Salary Until June 2025
2024-06-13: Mercury - Queer Guide 2024 - The Long Road to Justice
Federal:
2024-06-20: OPB - A major pro-Israel group spent big to influence one Oregon congressional race
2024-06-20: Mercury - Activists Reignite the Battle for Oregon’s Old-Growth Timber
2024-06-19: StreetRoots - Turnkey Act seeks congressional approval for $1B annual housing projects
Transportation:
City projects:
Advocacy:
Nonprofits:
2024-06-22: KGW - Nonprofit Depave, city of Portland project turns church parking lot into green space
2024-06-18: Mercury - How a Billionaire Philanthropist is Transforming Oregon Nonprofits
Education:
PSU:
PAT:
PPS student safety lawsuit:
Economy and business:
Labor:
Oregon's economy:
Utility shutoffs:
Addiction and recovery:
Housing and homelessness:
2024-06-22: KATU - Neighbors in two counties concerned about massive housing development
2024-06-20: OPB - Portland’s Safe Rest Village in Southwest neighborhood on track to triple capacity
2024-06-16: Willamette Week - County Program Helps Low-Income Tenants at Allen Fremont Avoid Eviction
Other news
Growth and resilience: