News Roundup March 10-17, 2024
New PPB crowd control team starting up, challenges in DA Schmidt's office, PPB officers made up excuse to arrest protestors (caught on audio), PPB tries to stem DUIs ahead of Saint Patrick's Day
At a glance:
City Council is set to approve a 6% pay bump for officers joining the city's new dedicated public order (crowd control) team. This team replaces the Rapid Response Team (RRT), which resigned en masse in 2021. The bureau is preparing for potential demonstrations ahead of the 2024 elections.
Another prosecutor has filed workplace complaints against DA Schmidt, who is currently seeking re-election and opposed by a subordinate prosecutor. Oregonian
An audio recording from PPB's plane captured officers brainstorming flimsy grounds for arresting protestors in 2019. Willamette Week
Portlanders celebrated Saint Patrick's Day by driving under the influence, sometimes through police barricades, despite PPB's pleas, warnings, and offers of ride share coupons.
Under-the-radar:
The political failure of Measure 110's implementation continues to generate national and international news stories, recently spurred by the legislature's actions to roll back key aspects of decriminalization.
Upcoming events
March 27, 2024 (Wednesday) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Police Bureauwide Advisory Committee Meeting (website)
March 20, 2024 (Wednesday) 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing (PCCEP) Full Committee Meeting (website)
Opportunities and calls for volunteer service
The Portland Police Bureau's Training Advisory Council (TAC) is seeking to fill 9 volunteer positions. The application deadline is March 25. Information and application link
PCCEP and CRC are recruiting for new members. See the city's volunteer job board for details - applications closing soon
Several revised PPB directives are up for review in each of the stages. See PPB's website for details - Deadlines as soon as mid-March
Policing and crime
Highly covered incidents:
2024-03-17: KGW - Suspect arrested after nearly hitting Shamrock Run participant
2024-03-15: Willamette Week - Portland Firefighter Convicted of Kidnapping Charges
2024-03-15: KATU - 911 call contradicts killer's testimony in Portland cab driver's stabbing death
2024-03-14: KGW - Man attacked while fishing at Portland's Eastbank
2024-03-11: Oregonian - Oregon man accused of defacing synagogue too dangerous to release, judge rules
Gun violence:
2024-03-11: KATU - Portland leaders discuss plan to reverse violence within homeless and transient population
Crime and the impact of crime:
2024-03-17: Oregonian - Classic car meetup spurs violent assault, Portland police say
2024-03-16: Oregonian - Stranger didn’t utter a word before bashing Asian man on Portland waterfront, victim says
2024-03-15: KOIN - Portland police seek suspects in violent assault which left man in coma
2024-03-13: Willamette Week - Legislature Directs $4 Million to ODOT for Graffiti Cleanup Along Roads Rife With Tags
Police and policing:
2024-03-15: Willamette Week - Mayor Proposes Pay Bump for Riot Cops
2024-03-14: NW Labor Press - Portland police union files initiative petitions
Police news releases:
2024-03-17: PPB - UPDATE: Arrest Made in Steel Bridge Stabbing Homicide
2024-03-17: PPB - Two Injured in Drive by Shooting in Lloyd District Neighborhood
2024-03-16: PPB - Two Men Arrested After Carjacking in North Portland (Photo)
Police-produced media:
2024-03-16: YouTube - Press Event for Joint Traffic Safety Initiative - March 15, 2024
2024-03-16: YouTube - Staying Safe: A Portland Officer's Plea for Sober Driving
2024-03-13: PPB - Major Crash Team Responded To Downtown Crash Involving Bicyclist
2024-03-12: YouTube - Women in Public Safety Event
2024-03-12: YouTube - Portland Police Bureau works with Multnomah County Sheriff
Other stories:
2024-03-17: Oregonian - Dumpster fire, drive-by shooting in NE Broadway area stretch emergency crews
Politics and policy
Portland government transition:
Criminal justice system:
2024-03-14: OPB - New report says an Oregon public defender’s poor performance affected 100 clients
2024-03-13: Willamette Week - Sheriffs Inspect Each Other’s Jails. They Found Nothing Amiss in Portland.
City:
2024-03-16: Willamette Week - Dirt Roads, Dead Ends
2024-03-15: Bike Portland - Participatory budgeting campaign has launched in Portland: Here’s what you need to know
2024-03-13: Willamette Week - As Gonzalez Ramps Up Effort to Remodel PCEF Tax, Community Groups Plan a Defense
2024-03-13: OPB - Portland will ban all gas-powered leaf blowers by 2028
2024-03-12: OPB - Rene Gonzalez’s first year: On the offensive, but not always on target
County:
2024-03-16: Willamette Week - Jail Deputies Were Also Accused of Doing Favors for Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Gang
2024-03-14: Oregonian - Multnomah County DA candidates spar over leadership, direction in first debate
2024-03-14: Oregonian - Top prosecutor files complaint against DA Mike Schmidt, alleging favoritism, discrimination
State:
2024-03-17: Willamette Week - State to Tackle Backlog of Child Exploitation “Cyber Tips”
2024-03-16: Willamette Week - Twenty-Nine GOP Lawmakers Ask Kotek to Veto Medical Interpreter Bill
2024-03-12: OPB - 2 Oregon state senators barred from seeking reelection after walkout will seek statewide office
Federal:
Transportation:
2024-03-12: OPB - A plan to toll Portland highways is dead — but tolling is still on the table
2024-03-11: Bike Portland - Kotek tells ODOT: Scrap regional tolling plans
Nonprofits:
Education:
2024-03-15: OPB - Students walk out, demand action on Gaza from Portland Public Schools
2024-03-14: NW Labor Press - After restorative justice coordinators unionize, Portland Public Schools 'unassigns' them
2024-03-13: OPB - Portland puts plan in motion to make up learning time lost to strike, storms
Economy:
Addiction:
2024-03-16: KATU - Mayoral candidates tackle addiction crisis in northeast Portland forum
2024-03-14: KOIN - Unified Command Center in Portland tackles fentanyl crisis
2024-03-14: Economist - Time is called on Oregon's decriminalization experiment
Housing:
2024-03-16: Oregonian - Reckoning for unlicensed Airbnbs may finally arrive in Portland
2024-03-14: Mercury - City, County Leaders Unveil Plans to Cut Homeless Count By Half. Not Everyone Is On Board.
Other news
Growth and resilience: