News Roundup March 17-24, 2024
More shootings, cyclist killed downtown, new crowd control team approved, many DUIIs over holiday weekend
At a glance:
A cyclist was killed on the road downtown on Friday night; he was the 17th fatality on Portland's increasingly dangerous roads. At this time last year, there were only 12 traffic fatalities. Separately, a recent survey highlighted violent threats against women cyclists.
City Council approved the formation of a new PPB crowd control team. KPTV, OPB, Mercury, KOIN
Under-the-radar:
See Rose City Reform's candidate tracker for the latest in-depth election coverage.
Reports released this week:
Upcoming events
March 27, 2024 (Wednesday) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Police Bureauwide Advisory Committee Meeting (website)
March 27, 2024 (Wednesday) 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM: PSR Town Hall Hosted by Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing (PCCEP) (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 March 31
Policing and crime
Highly covered incidents:
2024-03-21: KPTV - Woman arrested for manslaughter, DUII after 4-year-old son killed in N. Portland crash
2024-03-19: KPTV - Man accused of deadly stabbing near Steel Bridge released from custody
2024-03-19: KPTV - Man accused of driving drunk through Shamrock Run barricade at large after failing to appear in court
Gun violence:
2024-03-21: KPTV - 33-year-old man killed in downtown Portland shooting identified
2024-03-20: KGW - 4 Hoover gang members charged with murder of Portland Uber driver
2024-03-19: KGW - Police make arrest in Southeast Portland after standoff
2024-03-18: KOIN - Man dies after shooting near downtown Portland Central Library
Crime and the impact of crime:
2024-03-23: KATU - Portland man arrested after threatening park rangers, hurling urine and rocks at police
2024-03-22: Oregonian - Spate of Portland waterfront killings leaves locals unnerved, city leaders determined
2024-03-21: KPTV - Police: Man crashes stolen SUV after stealing cigarettes, alcohol from Portland convenience store
2024-03-21: KPTV - Prolific Portland tagger arraigned on 23 charges
Police and policing:
2024-03-23: KPTV - Police arrest 18, recover 10 cars in N Portland stolen vehicle operation
2024-03-21: KPTV - Jury: Deadly shooting involving Portland officer justified
2024-03-20: KPTV - Portland considering new police crowd control team due to possibility of election protests
2024-03-19: KPTV - Portland police seize $29K worth of Lululemon from organized retail theft ring
2024-03-19: KATU - Over 1,600 traffic stops, 75 arrests for DUII mission over St. Patrick's Day weekend
2024-03-18: KOIN - What's behind drop in Portland stolen cars? Science
2024-03-18: KGW - Portland police union ballot measure would alter oversight plan
PPB Staffing Report Updates March 21 (change since February 15):
Sworn members: 802 (-4) sworn officers: 550 (-4)
Officers in training: 102 (-7)
Officers non-patrol: 125 (-1)
Officers on leave: 28 (no change)
Patrol officers: 297 (+4). East: 99 (-2), Central: 103 (+2), North: 95 (+6)
Police-produced media:
Police news releases:
2024-03-22: PPB - Eastbank Esplanade Suspect Jailed for Murder
2024-03-22: PPB - 4-year-old Child Killed in Wednesday Crash Identified
2024-03-21: PPB - Victim in Downtown Shooting Identified
2024-03-21: PPB - Man Killed in Steel Bridge Stabbing Identified
2024-03-21: PPB - Driver Facing Numerous Charges Following 2022 Deadly Crash
2024-03-20: PPB - Four Suspects in 2020 Murder Arrested, Indicted
2024-03-20: PPB - Suspect in 2022 Homicide, 2024 Injury Shooting Arrested
2024-03-19: PPB - Retail Theft Mission Results in Numerous Arrests, One on a Homicide Warrant
2024-03-19: PPB - Holiday Weekend DUII Mission Yields Positive Results
2024-03-19: PPB - Suspect in November 2023 Homicide Arrested
2024-03-18: PPB - North Precinct Conducts Successful Retail Theft Mission
Other stories:
Politics and policy
Portland government transition:
Criminal justice system:
2024-03-18: KATU - 'It's not justice:' Murder plea deal trends in Multnomah County anger friend of victim
City:
2024-03-21: Bike Portland - PCEF committee: Community groups must play large role in grant applications
2024-03-19: Willamette Week - Seven City Council Candidates Qualify for Matching Taxpayer Funds
2024-03-18: KGW - Portland police union ballot measure would alter oversight plan
County:
2024-03-21: Willamette Week - Counties, Metro Surface Major Disagreement Over Homeless Services Tax at Second Meeting
State:
2024-03-24: OPB - Oregon’s First Lady gets new state-funded adviser amid departure of Kotek’s top aides
Federal:
2024-03-20: KOIN - Supreme Court allows former Portland man to challenge FBI over no-fly list placement
2024-03-18: KPTV - Portland announces federal funding will boost multiple priority projects
Transportation:
2024-03-22: Bike Portland - Man hit while bicycling downtown has died from injuries
2024-03-20: Bike Portland - Survey reveals depth of abuse women experience while biking
2024-03-19: Bike Portland - Entry to riverfront path on Swan Island blocked by boulders and barricades
2024-03-18: KGW - Man assaulted on bus questions TriMet safety protocols
Education:
2024-03-23: OPB - Records detail preliminary cuts to individual Portland schools, as district confronts $30M budget hole
2024-03-22: OPB - The COVID generation: Class of 2025 students on how the pandemic changed their school experience
2024-03-20: KPTV - Oregon’s public schools to receive $74.2M in 2024
2024-03-20: OPB - Portland tweaks school start times to balance instruction, planning — and bus capacity
Economy:
Addiction:
2024-03-24: KATU - Portland Police are seizing more fentanyl this year
2024-03-22: KPTV - Recovery treatment beds going unused in Oregon amid opioid crisis
Housing:
2024-03-22: OPB - Oregon lawmakers send money for housing projects down the drain — literally
2024-03-21: Mercury - Portland Preservationists Think the Future of New Housing is in Old Buildings
2024-03-18: KPTV - Affordable housing built in southeast Portland for refugees
2024-03-18: KATU - Kotek says she's working to figure out how much state should give shelters
Other news
Growth and resilience: