News Roundup June 2-9, 2024

Gun violence awareness, man shoots traffic cameras, protests continue, big trouble at Oregon State Hospital, MultCo passes budget

Reports released this week:

• MCSO jail report for May 2024

Upcoming events

• June 12, 2024 (Wednesday) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing (PCCEP) Community Engagement Subcommittee Meeting 6/12/24 (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

Policing and crime

Highly covered incidents:

• 2024-06-08: KATU - Portland police looking for suspect shooting at traffic cameras, causing $100K+ in damage

• 2024-06-07: KGW - Man shoots at traffic camera in Southeast Portland; police seek tips

• 2024-06-03: KPTV - Teen sues Portland, says man who stabbed him on MAX train should have already been in jail

Gun violence:

• Awareness:

  • 2024-06-09: Fox 12 Oregon - Portlanders gather, dress in orange for Gun Violence Awareness Day at PCC

  • 2024-06-08: KGW - Portlanders share stories, support on Gun Violence Awareness Day

  • 2024-06-08: KOIN 6 - ‘Everybody can do something’ to prevent gun violence

• Shootings:

  • 2024-06-06: KGW - Rideshare driver shot and killed identified; teenage passenger injured in vehicle in Southeast Portland

  • 2024-06-03: KPTV - Man recovering after being shot in leg in SE Portland

• Convictions:

  • 2024-06-05: Oregonian - Social media beef sparked deadly Portland street race between two friends, jury finds

Crowd control, protests, and public order policing:

• Palestine:

  • 2024-06-08: Oregonian - Pro-Palestinian protesters attempt to block Grand Floral Parade, Portland police arrest 8

  • 2024-06-08: KATU - Police: Portland Grand Floral Parade a success despite attempt by 'handful' of protesters

• 2020:

  • 2024-06-03: Oregonian - Supervisor’s account of why deputy marshal fired at Portland protester becomes focus of latest dispute

Crime and the impact of crime:

• 2024-06-05: KOIN - Portland sex crime suspect faces attempted murder charges for allegedly trying to kill officers

Police and policing:

• 2024-06-03: OPB - How police guns can end up being used in crimes

PPB Staffing Report Updates June 6 (change from May 15):

• sworn members: 812 (+3) sworn officers: 551 (+3)

• Officers in training: 101 (-1)

• Officers non-patrol: 138 (+5)

• Officers on leave: 24 (-1)

• Patrol officers: 288 (-6). East: 100 (+3), Central: 97 (-7), North: 91 (+2)

Police-produced media:

• 2024-06-07: YouTube - PPB Seeking Information about Suspect in Series of Vandalism with Firearm Cases

• 2024-06-07: YouTube - Hiring Military Veterans 2024 - Talking Beat

• 2024-06-06: YouTube - PPB Hires 8 Police Officers

Police news releases:

• 2024-06-08: PPB - Motorcyclist Killed in Crash Identified

• 2024-06-08: PPB - Grand Floral Parade a Success Despite a Brief Interruption by a Protest

• 2024-06-06: PPB - PPB Seeking Information about Suspect in Series of Vandalism with Firearm Cases

• 2024-06-06: PPB - Rideshare Driver Killed in Shooting Identified

• 2024-06-06: PPB - Suspected Child Predator Arrested

• 2024-06-05: PPB - Sex Crimes Suspect Indicted for Attempted Murder of PPB Officers

• 2024-06-04: PPB - Pedestrian Killed In Crash, Major Crash Team Responding

Other stories:

• 2024-06-03: KPTV - Problems persist at Providence Milwaukie ER

Politics and policy

Portland government transition:

• 2024-06-08: Willamette Week - Why Does Portland’s Charter Not Permit Officials to Remain in Business and Make a Little Outside Income?

Criminal justice system:

• 2024-06-07: Oregonian - Oregon prison guard alleged to have opened inmates’ cells to allow assaults by gang members

• 2024-06-04: Willamette Week - Judges Rule Gov. Tina Kotek Is Illegally Keeping People Behind Bars

City:

• 2024-06-06: KGW - 'Improved Portland': Mayor Wheeler looks to appease concerns ahead of full summer line-up of events

• 2024-06-04: Willamette Week - Commissioner Rene Gonzalez Objects to Lobbying Rule Change

• 2024-06-03: KATU - Portland agency places public infrastructure project on homeowner dividing property

• 2024-06-03: BikePortland - After man drives into crowd, Mayor Wheeler says protestors ‘shouldn’t whine’ at consequences of defying police orders

County:

• New budget:

  • 2024-06-08: KGW - ‘I’m sad, a bit outraged’: Portland leaders speak out against Multnomah County’s decision to fund more tent, tarp distribution

  • 2024-06-07: The Portland Mercury - He Isn't the DA Yet, but Nathan Vasquez Already Secured More County Money for Drug Prosecutions

  • 2024-06-06: Willamette Week - Multnomah County Passes $4 Billion Budget After Contentious Session

  • 2024-06-06: Oregonian - Multnomah County finalizes $4 billion budget for 2025

  • 2024-06-05: Willamette Week - Gonzalez Objects to County’s Plan to Fund More Tents, Tarps and Syringes

State:

• 2024-06-07: Oregonian - Portland murder suspect ID’d as man who fatally OD’d on fentanyl at Oregon State Hospital

• 2024-06-06: KPTV - Oregon State Hospital placed in immediate jeopardy status

• 2024-06-06: Oregonian - Court revives suit by hospitals demanding Oregon provide beds for civilly committed patients

• 2024-06-05: KPTV - Court rules Oregon violated hospital patients’ rights

Federal:

• 2024-06-07: OPB - Bonamici talks about plans to take Oregon’s Project Turnkey shelter program nationwide

• 2024-06-05: KPTV - Portland National Guard receives cutting edge fighter jet

Transportation:

• Cycling:

  • 2024-06-07: BikePortland - City will launch $2.6 million trail improvement project at Kelly Butte this summer

  • 2024-06-06: Bike Portland - Blumenauer bill aims to boost US bike manufacturing

  • 2024-06-06: Bike Portland - Council date set for Portland’s first e-bike rebate program

  • 2024-06-04: Bike Portland - City of Portland adds two electric cargo bikes to vehicle fleet

• Traffic violence:

  • 2024-06-07: BikePortland - A ‘gunfire vandal’ is shooting at automated enforcement cameras

  • 2024-06-04: KPTV - Person dies after being hit by car in NE Portland

• Legislature and ODOT:

  • 2024-06-06: Bike Portland - Video: Highlights from Oregon Legislature transportation hearing in Portland

  • 2024-06-05: Bike Portland - State transportation leaders come to Portland at start of ‘long road ahead’ for funding bill

  • 2024-06-05: KGW - ODOT faces a maintenance funding gap. Lawmakers want to know how Oregonians would prefer to pay for it

Labor:

• 2024-06-07: KPTV - Thousands of Providence Oregon nurses announce 3-day strike

• 2024-06-07: KPTV - Oregon Health & Science University to layoff 500+ people

• 2024-06-07: Willamette Week - Leader of OHSU Union Cries Foul on Job Cuts as Other Workers Get Bonuses

• 2024-06-06: Oregonian - Unionized PSU faculty rally ahead of budget vote

Education:

• New superintendent:

  • 2024-06-05: KATU - Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong sworn in as new Portland Public Schools superintendent

• Pro-Palestine teaching materials produced by union:

  • 2024-06-07: KGW - 'Just totally inappropriate': Portland teachers union keeps pro-Palestinian teaching links up despite backlash

  • 2024-06-04: KGW - 'Extremely one-sided': Portland teachers union takes down pro-Palestinian teaching guides after Jewish parents deem them antisemitic

• Ballot initiative:

  • 2024-06-03: KGW - Opponents say proposed Oregon school voucher ballot initiatives could harm public schools

Economy and business:

• 2024-06-09: Oregonian - Powell’s Books plans return to PDX

Addiction and recovery:

• 2024-06-05: KOIN - OR drug crisis: MultCo races to launch behavioral health drop-off center

• 2024-06-05: Oregonian - Multnomah County scrambles to meet Sept. 1 deadline for deflection, new drug law

Housing and homelessness:

• Eviction:

  • 2024-06-07: KGW - Report: Eviction rates rising, rent growth lowering in Multnomah County

  • 2024-06-03: OPB - Eviction defense programs reach few Multnomah County tenants in need, study finds

• Encampments:

  • 2024-06-07: KGW - Large South Portland homeless camp slows development of affordable housing project

  • 2024-06-07: KATU - Neighbors despair as homeless vehicles persist on Portland's Southeast 94th Avenue

• Government response:

  • 2024-06-05: Willamette Week - City and County Negotiations Heat Up Over Homelessness Responsibilities

  • 2024-06-04: KPTV - Portland, Multnomah County release final Homeless Response Action Plan

  • 2024-06-04: KGW - How Portland, Multnomah County plan to address homelessness

• Other:

  • 2024-06-05: StreetRoots - Pets provide comfort for many homeless Portlanders

Other news

Growth and resilience:

• 2024-06-06: Oregonian - Portland’s ‘unique and complex history’ takes shape in ambitious Oregon Historical Society exhibit

• 2024-06-05: KPTV - Fundraiser for Black-owned businesses in Portland’s ‘Soul District’