News Roundup September 17-24, 2023
Police Chief steps down, 2013 cold case solved, cyclist killed in crosswalk, PAC delivers report Council, DA race heats up, questions about daytime camping ban enforcement as summer comes to an end
At a glance:
See elections section for listing of new candidates!
Chief Lovell announced that he is stepping down. Bob Day will come out of retirement to serve as interim Chief. Lovell will remain with the bureau in a community engagement role. Press conference | OPB
A cyclist was killed in a crosswalk in North Portland. It was the first cyclist fatality in an unusually deadly year on Portland's roads. Oregonian
In a chaotic turn of events, PBOT made then canceled plans to revert the bike lane on SW Broadway. Commissioner Mapps and Director Williams took turns dodging accountability.
The Police Accountability Commission (PAC) delivered their report to City Council on Thursday, taking another step towards enacting voter-approved police oversight reform. Oregonian
A member of Kotek's downtown task force accused the governor of removing her from a panel over her role in Nathan Vasquez's campaign against DA Schmidt. The panel has been criticized for a lack of transparency/ Oregonian
Mayor's camping ban still not being enforced after 'summer of education'. KOIN
Open data spotlight
Data resource of the week: Portland Traffic Deaths and Injuries since 2011:
Upcoming events
September 25, 2023 (Monday) 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC) Executive Committee Meeting. (Website)
September 28, 2023 (Thursday) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: FITCOG MEETING SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 (website)
Opportunities and calls for volunteer service
City of Portland advisory and accountability bodies are seeking applicants:
PPB seeks feedback on Directive 0640.80 Bias Crime Reporting. Comments accepted until October 12.
Policing and crime
Highly covered incidents:
2023-09-21: KGW - Portland police identify 'Baby Precious,' found dead in 2013
2023-09-21: Willamette Week - Jo Ann Hardesty Settles Lawsuit With Police Union Over Hit-and-Run Leak
2023-09-20: Willamette Week - Police Chief Chuck Lovell Steps Down
Crime and the impact of crime:
2023-09-23: KGW - Portland police arrest suspect in downtown bar stabbing
2023-09-21: KOIN - Caught on camera: Black tenants in Gresham, OR apartment complex receive death threats
2023-09-18: KPTV - Thieves steal custom bikes from local bike parts manufacture
Police and policing:
2023-09-22: KPTV - Portland’s political climate is calming, but there’s still work to do, police union president says
2023-09-20: Skanner - Police Accountability Commission Presents Council With Proposed Major Overhaul
Police-produced media:
2023-09-22: YouTube - Cold Case: Indictment in Baby Precious Case | Press Conference 9-21-23
2023-09-22: YouTube - 🌟 Unleash Your Potential with PPB Cadets! 🌟
2023-09-20: YouTube - Interim Chief Bob Day Introductory Press Conference
Other stories:
2024 Election
Candidates as of this week:
Mayor:
Auditor:
No candidates
District 1:
David Linn
Jamie Dunphy
Deian Salazar
District 2:
Debbie Kitchin
David Burnell
Brooklyn Sherman
District 3:
Jesse Cornett
Matthew Anderson
District 4:
Tony Morse
Multnomah County District Attorney:
Politics and policy
Criminal justice system:
2023-09-20: OPB - Oregon State Hospital staff left keys in ignition, aiding attempted murders’ escape
City:
2023-09-22: Street Wonk - Street Wonk Double Header: September 13th-September 21st, 2023
2023-09-21: KGW - Portland to use AI technology to answer non-emergency calls
County:
2023-09-23: KPTV - Third-party review of Joint Office of Homeless Services points out inefficiencies, gaps in services
2023-09-22: KATU - Scathing - but optimistic - report on Joint Office of Homeless Services: Unclear, reactive
2023-09-21: Oregonian - Multnomah County prosecutor accuses DA Mike Schmidt of sex discrimination, retaliation
State:
2023-09-24: KOIN - Washington County DA shares proposed changes to fix Measure 110
2023-09-24: KOIN - Oregon Measure 114 court battle ramps up, gun safety advocates share their side
2023-09-21: Willamette Week - Measure 110 Overhaul Effort Seeks to Expand Its Coalition
2023-09-18: Willamette Week - Group Proposes Ballot Measure to Recriminalize Hard Drugs
Transportation:
2023-09-21: Bike Portland - PBOT Director Millicent Williams apologizes, says she ‘moved too fast’ on Broadway bike lane
2023-09-21: Bike Portland - PBOT Director Millicent Williams apologizes, says she ‘moved too fast’ on Broadway bike lane
2023-09-19: OPB - TriMet making investments to boost safety, bring back riders
Education:
2023-09-21: KPTV - Portland students outperforming on standardized tests
2023-09-20: Willamette Week - Portland Public Schools Replaced Cops With a Vast, Unarmed Security Team. Is It Enough?
2023-09-18: Willamette Week - Portland School District Hands Out Drug Bags
Economy:
Addiction and behavioral health:
2023-09-21: Oregonian - Oregon tried to deinstitutionalize mental health care. Its failure echoes today.
Housing:
2023-09-22: PDX Monthly - He's Thought about This Death of a Houseless Man Since 1987
2023-09-21: PDX Monthly - Tips on How to Interact with Houseless Neighbors
2023-09-21: PDX Monthly - How One Portland Neighborhood Partnered with a Homeless Encampment
2023-09-19: KGW - Portland man to sell home after city fails to remove parked RV
2023-09-21: KOIN - Portland Oregon homelessness: No word on daytime camping enforcement
Other news
Growth and resilience: