News Roundup June 23-30, 2024
Supreme Court delivers homelessness opinions, PBOT and TriMet boost non-police policing, JOHS renewal chaos continues, MultCo sites new deflection center and now jails fentanyl dealers, PPB gets BWC
At a glance:
The US Supreme Court ruled in Grants Pass case that arresting people living outside is constitutional, a ruling with implications for homelessness policy nationwide. The changes may be less impactful in Oregon, where key facets of the ruling were codified in state law. Some state lawmakers are considering changing that. Mayor Wheeler committed to enforcing the city's camping ban starting July 1. Street Roots | KGW | KPTV | Oregonian | Mercury | Willamette Week | Rose City Reform
PBOT announced the recruitment of new parking enforcement officers, stepped up enforcement of parking and vehicle registration. Mercury | KGW
Multnomah County chose the site of a controversial new deflection center, which will neighbor the recently opened Soho House. The site was leased by a Soho House competitor, Solterra, raising eyebrows. Willamette Week
PPB's deployment of body-worn cameras, now out of pilot phase, started with central precinct this week. North and east precincts will roll out body-worn cameras in July and August. PPB YouTube
Multnomah County changed guidelines for pretrial release, in an attempt to stop the revolving door that lets accused fentanyl dealers evade justice. Willamette Week
TriMet will soon step up enforcement of rules on fare evasion and disruptive behavior on transit. TriMet
Policing and crime
Highly covered incidents:
Crime and the impact of crime:
2024-06-29: KATU - Driver charged after crashing into motorcyclist on Sunset Highway
2024-06-24: KPTV - 1 in custody after campus police vehicles vandalized at PSU
2024-06-24: KPTV - Owner says suspect broke window, burned Pride display at Portland bookstore
Gun violence:
Shootings this week:
2024-06-30: Oregonian - Police ID victim in Portland MAX platform fatal shooting
2024-06-29: KGW - Police investigating homicide after man was shot, killed at North Portland MAX station
2024-06-29: KGW - 2 men injured in downtown Portland shooting
2024-06-28: KGW - Man killed in North Portland shooting identified
Aftermath of past shootings:
Prevention:
Crowd control, protests, and public order policing:
Police and policing:
Police work:
2024-06-29: KATU - Police dog tracks suspect for nearly an hour, finds him hiding in hospital dumpster
2024-06-25: Willamette Week - Police Lay Out the Workings of Lake Oswego’s Catalytic Converter Theft Ring
2024-06-25: Willamette Week - Graffiti Documentary Leads Police to 1,500-Can Stash of Spray Paint
Body-worn cameras:
Civil enforcement:
2024-06-26: Oregonian - TriMet announces major changes on buses, light rail starting next week
2024-06-25: Bike Portland - PBOT’s newly hired parking enforcement squad is ‘coming for you’
PPB Staffing Report Updates June 27, 2024 (change since June 18):
sworn members: 799 (-11) sworn officers: 544 (-7)
Officers in training: 100 (-2)
Officers non-patrol: 125 (-5)
Officers on leave: 23 (no change)
Patrol officers: 296 (no change). East: 101 (-2), Central: 101 (no change), North: 94 (+2)
Police-produced media:
PPB News Releases:
2024-06-29: PPB - North Portland Shooting Determined to be Homicide, Victim Identified
2024-06-29: PPB - Driver Facing Felony Assault Charges After Crashing Into Motorcyclist
2024-06-29: PPB - Motorcyclist Killed in June 14 Crash Identified
2024-06-29: PPB - One Deceased After Wrong Way Crash On Freeway, Major Crash Team Responding
2024-06-28: PPB - Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Death Confirmed to be Homicide, Victim Identified
2024-06-28: PPB - Man Deceased After Shooting In Southeast Portland
2024-06-27: PPB - Suspects Face Felony Charges After Seizure of a Full Auto Pistol and Revolver
2024-06-25: PPB - Thousands of Dollars in Spray Paint Seized During Search of Graffiti Vandal's Home
2024-06-25: PPB - Two Deceased In Crash After Stolen Vehicle Eludes Police, Major Crash Team Responding
2024-06-24: PPB - PPB Begins Bureau-wide Roll Out of Body-Worn Cameras
Private security:
Politics and policy
Elections:
2024-06-30: Willamette Week - Northwest Oregon Labor Council Endorses City Council Candidates
2024-06-24: Willamette Week - Facing a Budget Crunch, Portland’s Small Donor Elections Program Explores Loosening Rules
2024-06-25: Willamette Week - Rene Gonzalez Wins Fire and Police Unions’ Endorsements in Mayor’s Race
2024-06-30: KOIN 6 - Sam Sachs touts anti-hate message in District 2 campaign
2024-06-28: Bike Portland - In interview, Mapps blames BikePortland for Broadway bike lane scandal
2024-06-26: KGW - Gov. Tina Kotek endorses Carmen Rubio for Portland mayor
2024-06-25: Bike Portland - How would 42 Portland political candidates help us reach Vision Zero?
City-County JOHS contract renewal:
2024-06-26: StreetRoots - Portland, Multnomah County seek to avoid ‘messy divorce’ on homelessness approach
2024-06-26: KGW - Multnomah County agrees to pause tent and tarp purchases, says Rene Gonzalez
Portland government transition:
Criminal justice system:
City:
2024-06-26: OPB - Portland looks to increase e-bike access for moderate- to low-income residents
2024-06-26: KGW - Portland Bureau of Transportation stepping up parking enforcement, hiring 22 new enforcement officers
County:
2024-06-27: Willamette Week - County Chooses Site on Southeast Sandy for Controversial Deflection Center
2024-06-25: KGW - DA-elect Nathan Vasquez critical of Multnomah County's 'revolving door' plan for drug deflection
Metro:
State:
2024-06-30: KATU - Going behind the scenes at the renovation of the Oregon State Capitol building
2024-06-29: Oregonian - They’re cashing in millions through the Oregon Lottery’s shadow economy
2024-06-29: KGW - Oregon lawmakers hint at possible HB 3115 update after Supreme Court ruling on homeless camping
Transportation:
2024-06-28: KGW - I-5 weekend closure in Southwest Portland has begun. What to know
2024-06-27: Bike Portland - Portland’s e-bike rebate program will launch summer 2025
2024-06-27: Bike Portland - Report recommends protected bike lanes for Sandy Blvd
2024-06-26: Bike Portland - PBOT will buy new protected bike lane sweeper
Education:
2024-06-29: Oregonian - Portland Public Schools’ construction bond wish list nears $3 billion
2024-06-26: StreetRoots - Banned ex-cops patrol Oregon university campuses
Economy and business:
Housing and homelessness:
2024-06-29: KATU - Avalon Village: New Portland shelter empowers its residents through self-governance
2024-06-28: StreetRoots - Supreme Court rules arresting, citing people for not having shelter is constitutional
2024-06-26: KPTV - North Portland shelter with more than 100 beds re-opening soon
2024-06-26: StreetRoots - New Milwaukie shelter narrows gap in shelter services for Native families
2024-06-25: Mercury - Home Forward and City of Portland Unveil 206 New Affordable Apartments in Southeast Portland
Other news
Growth and resilience: