News Roundup March 3-10, 2024
Bottle drop exemptions seen as success, Oregon recriminalizes drugs, PPB restores cold case unit, Albina district restoration moves forward,
At a glance:
PPB announced that they will be restarting the cold/unsolved case unit. PPB
Governor Kotek plans to sign a bill to recriminalize drug possession. The legislature passed laws to build more housing, including outside urban growth boundaries, increase drug treatment resources, clean up highways, and provide summer school.
The USDOT has granted funds to create a highway lid over I-5, paving the way for a restoration of the historic Albina district. KGW
The Oregon Poison Center reported that fentanyl exposure in children spiked in 2023. KPTV
After Governor Kotek suspended requirements for a downtown Portland Safeway and Plaid Pantry to accept bottle returns, neighbors reported a substantial improvement in conditions nearby. Other businesses are now asking for similar exemptions.
Under the radar:
Local anarchists claimed responsibility for attacks on a butcher shop and an ODOT construction site.
Reports released this week:
Upcoming events
March 12, 2024 (Tuesday) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: City and Department of Justice Announce Finalists for Independent Monitor Position (website)
March 13, 2024 (Wednesday) 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM: Police Training Advisory Council (TAC) Meeting (website)
March 14, 2024 (Thursday) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: FITCOG MEETING MARCH 14, 2024 (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:
2024-03-05: Bike Portland - Friend of ‘Dino’ shares what happened before he was run down by a driver
Gun violence:
2024-03-08: KATU - 17-year-old wants 'to get out of street life': a deep dive into youth gun violence
2024-03-07: Oregonian - Accomplice in fatal robbery gone wrong outside Portland elementary school gets 10 years
Crime and the impact of crime:
2024-03-09: KGW - DOJ opens criminal investigation into 737 MAX plane blowout
2024-03-09: KGW - Car launches off Interstate 5, hits light pole and catches fire
2024-03-06: KOIN - Man accused of Downtown Portland assault spree
Police press releases:
2024-03-07: PPB - Mission in Downtown Portland Area Yields Positive Results (Photo)
2024-03-07: PPB - UPDATE: Man Killed in Kenton Neighborhood Shooting Identified
2024-03-06: PPB - PPB Announces Return of Cold Case Unit
2024-03-04: PPB - UPDATE: Suspicious Death Determined to be Homicide, Victim Identified (Photo)
Police and policing:
2024-03-09: KPTV - 10 arrests made in Multnomah County public safety mission
2024-03-08: KPTV - Family of man killed by Portland police files lawsuit
2024-03-06: KPTV - PPB, OSP increase visibility in fentanyl hot spots
Police-produced media:
2024-03-07: YouTube - Press Conference - Portland Police Bureau announces return of Cold Case Unit
2024-03-06: YouTube - Portland Police Bureau announces return of Cold Case Unit
Other stories:
2024-03-08: Oregonian - Lawsuits target Portland BottleDrop after security guard accused of stabbing man
Politics and policy
Criminal justice system:
2024-03-06: Willamette Week - What Happened in Hoover Jail
2024-03-06: Willamette Week - Skip Your Court Date? That’ll Now Land You a Misdemeanor
2024-03-05: Oregonian - Man convicted of opening fire outside Portland ER wins reversal
2024-03-04: OPB - Oregon’s new drug penalties would mean surge in convictions, jail stints, state estimates suggest
City:
2024-03-08: KGW - How common are odor complaints about Portland restaurants?
2024-03-06: Mercury - Loud, Polluting Leaf Blowers May Be on Their Way Out of Portland
2024-03-05: KPTV - Future of Portland Street Response program remains uncertain, mayor committed to its success
County:
2024-03-10: KOIN - Sam Adams seeking Multnomah County commissioner spot
2024-03-08: KGW - Multnomah County DA candidate Nathan Vasquez on Portland’s crime rate
2024-03-06: Street Roots - Multnomah County unanimously passes Gaza ceasefire resolution
State:
2024-03-09: Oregonian - Oregon lawmakers send $20 million to clean up Portland highways; work to start right away
Federal:
2024-03-10: KGW - U.S. DOT to fund Rose Quarter Improvement Project in Portland
2024-03-10: KOIN - Merkley: Reconnecting Albina community 'not a fantasy anymore'
Transportation:
2024-03-09: KPTV - Protest closes I-405 South for several hours in Portland
2024-03-08: Bike Portland - After survey and study, bike friendly speed bumps get a thumbs-up
2024-03-07: Bike Portland - Let’s talk about running on neighborhood greenways
2024-03-07: KATU - Crater-like potholes on this Portland street are residents' responsibility, city says
2024-03-06: KPTV - US official says Boeing hasn’t turned over records about work on the panel that blew off a jetliner
2024-03-04: KPTV - PBOT’s 82nd Avenue design team takes community feedback on latest plans
2024-03-04: KPTV - PBOT launches ‘March Madness’ pothole campaign after winter storm damage
2024-03-04: KPTV - Man on scooter injured in car crash dies in hospital
Education:
Economy and business:
Addiction:
2024-03-10: Oregonian - It will be a crime to possess fentanyl in Oregon again. Here’s what to expect next
2024-03-08: KPTV - Oregon City mother suing a distributor of kratom over son’s death
2024-03-07: KPTV - Oregon Poison Center reports spike in fentanyl exposures in young children
2024-03-05: KPTV - City and county employees give update on 90-day fentanyl emergency declaration
Housing:
2024-03-07: Oregonian - Portland may rewrite its daytime ban on homeless camping
2024-03-06: Street Roots - Understanding women’s unique experiences in homelessness and poverty
2024-03-05: KPTV - Pastor responds to community pushback about encampment at Montavilla church
2024-03-04: Bike Portland - Comment of the Week: Living in the ‘dead zone’
2024-03-04: KPTV - Oregon legislature passes $376 million emergency housing package
Other news
Growth and resilience: