News Roundup May 19-26, 2024
Elections, elections, election; and also: PPA ballot measure moves forward with re-title, PSU protestors continue violence, more transportation system crime.
At a glance:
A man with a long criminal history escalated to attempted murder when he pushed a man in front of a moving MAX train. He moved on to commit several crimes before being taken into custody; he claimed mental illness as the cause for his behavior. KGW
Protestors at PSU continue to engage in acts of violence. KGW
PPA's ballot measure to undo the 2020 voter-approved police reform package can move forward to signature collection, has been given a reworded title by judge: "Reduces authority, changes membership, budget for community police oversight board". KGW
Elections:
Portlanders approved all tax increases and renewals presented on the May ballot. KGW
The DA race attracted coverage in national publications, including Politico and The Hill
See Rose City Reform for the latest Portland City Council election coverage and in-depth reporting.
Reports released this week:
Upcoming events
May 28, 2024 (Tuesday) 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Police Equity Advisory Council (PEAC) Meeting (website)
May 29, 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
PCCEP, CRC, and PRB are recruiting for new members. See the city's volunteer job board for details
Several revised PPB directives are up for review in each of the stages. See PPB's website for details
Policing and crime
Highly covered incidents:
PSU encampment and protests:
2024-05-24: KATU - Portland State University police chief hospitalized amid campus protest arrests
2024-05-24: OPB - Portland State president and student government come together in effort to end campus violence
2024-05-24: Fox 12 Oregon - Palestinian PSU students reflect on protest, look to draw attention back to Gaza
Crime and the impact of crime:
2024-05-26: KOIN 6 - Known shoplifter among 14 arrested in Portland retail theft mission
2024-05-25: KGW - Portland police searching for suspected carjacker
2024-05-24: KGW - 3 pickpocketers caught on camera stealing wallet from 93-year-old man in Portland Costco parking lot
2024-05-22: KGW - Man pushed in front of MAX train in Portland speaks out
2024-05-22: KOIN - Pit bull attack, bias crime followed by man pleading not guilty in court
2024-05-21: Oregonian - Portland bar sued for $9M, accused of overserving man who then allegedly killed fellow patron
2024-05-20: KOIN - Man arrested for carrying shotgun in a guitar case in Portland park, police say
2024-05-20: Bike Portland - Driver blasts onto Springwater Corridor as bike riders narrowly escape speeding car
Gun violence:
2024-05-26: KOIN 6 - Man accused of shooting 1, stabbing 2 in Southeast Portland
2024-05-26: KATU - Teen shot at Gresham classic car show, expected to survive
2024-05-24: Fox 12 Oregon - Woman found dead in SE Portland apartment after shooting
2024-05-21: KOIN - VIDEO: Surveillance captures moment before man dies in Southeast Portland shooting
2024-05-21: Oregonian - 1 dead after early-morning shooting in SE Portland, police say
Police and policing:
2024-05-24: KGW - Judge tweaks Portland police union's oversight ballot measure title
2024-05-24: KATU - Portland's NAACP president questions bias crimes measures
2024-05-23: KGW - Measure to dilute Portland police oversight board heads to November ballot, barring legal troubles
2024-05-22: KPTV - Serial armed robber suspect arrested during PPB stolen vehicle operation
2024-05-20: KATU - Officers in deadly shooting at Hazelwood home identified
Police-produced media:
2024-05-24: YouTube - Arresting fentanyl dealers next to the Central Library
2024-05-24: YouTube - PPB ASU: Why Not a Helicopter?
2024-05-22: YouTube - PPB Honors Members Who Died in Line of Duty
PPB News Releases:
2024-05-25: PPB - Prolific Shoplifter Among 14 Arrested During North Precinct Retail Theft Mission
2024-05-25: PPB - Suspect Facing Attempted Murder Charges After Shooting, Stabbings
2024-05-24: PPB - Chief Day Condemns Violent Behavior During PSU Chief's Medical Emergency
2024-05-24: PPB - PPB Needs Publics Help Locating Theft Suspects, Additional Victims Sought
2024-05-24: PPB - UPDATE: Missing Endangered Teen Located
2024-05-23: PPB - Homicide Investigation Underway after Shooting in the Hazelwood Neighborhood
2024-05-22: PPB - UPDATE: Suspected Serial Armed Robber Arrested During SVO Mission
2024-05-21: PPB - PPB Honors Members Who Died in Line of Duty
2024-05-21: PPB - Man Faces Assault, Bias Crime Charges Following Arrest, Additional Victims Sought
2024-05-21: PPB - Man Deceased After Shooting In Hazelwood Neighborhood
2024-05-20: PPB - UPDATE: Officers Involved in Hazelwood Neighborhood Shots Fired Incident Identified
2024-05-20: PPB - PPB Participates in Click it or Ticket Campaign
Politics and policy
Criminal justice system:
2024-05-24: Willamette Week - Short-Staffed Women’s Prison Fires Its Only Gynecologist
2024-05-24: KATU - OR Chief Justice expands defendants held in jail until first appearance under new order
City:
County:
Vasquez wins DA race:
2024-05-26: KATU - YVYV: Nathan Vasquez elected as the next Multnomah County District Attorney
2024-05-25: Oregonian - What’s next as new Multnomah County DA Nathan Vasquez prepares to take over
2024-05-22: KGW - Mike Schmidt concedes Multnomah County district attorney race to Nathan Vasquez
2024-05-22: KATU - Vasquez looks to end open-air drug dealing once at helm of Multnomah County DA's Office
2024-05-22: KATU - An Interview with DA Elect Nathan Vasquez: Committed to prosecuting more crimes
2024-05-22: KGW - Nathan Vasquez prepares to take on the role of Multnomah County district attorney
Commissioner races go to runoff:
County dysfunction:
County jail corruption:
Metro:
State:
2024-05-22: Mercury - Democrats Maxine Dexter and Janelle Bynum Pull Off Wins in Key Oregon Congressional Races
Federal:
2024-05-22: KGW - How many of the write-in votes in Oregon's presidential primaries were for 'uncommitted'?
Transportation:
Gas tax renewal passed:
Biking:
Nonprofits:
2024-05-23: KGW - Body left to decompose in apartment for 2 months; family sues Central City Concern
Education:
2024-05-22: KGW - Portland gas tax, school levy and zoo bond election measures headed for passage
2024-05-21: OPB - Oregon’s 2 largest school districts are nearing the end of a fraught budget season
Economy and business:
2024-05-25: OPB - Census data shows thousands of people leaving Portland — but they may not be going far
2024-05-23: KGW - Food cart pod on Portland State University's campus will stay open
2024-05-23: KGW - Old Town acupuncture school plans to shut down, blames area
Housing and homelessness:
2024-05-21: KGW - Is Portland's affordable housing law working? Yes and no, watchdog report finds
2024-05-21: KGW - Homeless people could be impacted by the outcome of Oregon’s primary election
Other news
Growth and resilience: