Police News Roundup May 21-28, 2023
ODs outpace homicides 3-1, city continues shaking up approach to homelessness, Multnomah pretrial release guidelines changed
At a glance:
City will be getting 17 new sobering beds, some dedicated to helping people with meth-induced psychosis; the city's previous sobering center closed in late 2019 citing safety concerns arising from an increase in those patients. Oregonian
City Council is set to vote on Mayor's proposed Time, Place, and Manner restrictions, otherwise known as the daytime camping ban.
City will settle ADA lawsuit, agree to focus campsite clearance efforts on sidewalks and continue Commissioner Gonzalez's policy to not give out tents. BikePortland
Mayor Wheeler criticized Joint Office of Homeless Services, underspending, may pull funding. Mercury
Burning of the May apartments was found to be arson, started by recently evicted resident with history of troubles
Under-the-radar/you might have missed:
911 call times have improved since last year, but rate of improvement may be slowing
Portland police say overdose deaths are outpacing homicides 3 to 1
Labor unions call recent budget/tax/fee cuts a political stunt, have started organizing a campaign, allege failure to honor labor agreement that ended February strike: petition website
Multnomah County rewrites pretrial release guidelines, will be able to hold people with history of convictions or multiple pending cases. Willamette Week
KPTV interviewed a former gang member; cites lack of diversion resources and police enforcement as challenges to youth KPTV video
Final draft of COCL 2022Q4 compliance report released; link includes responses to public comment. website
Upcoming events
This week:
May 30, 2023 (Tuesday) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Police Accountability Commission (PAC) Sub-Committee on Broader System (website)
June 1, 2023 (Thursday) 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Police Accountability Commission (PAC) Meeting (website)
Opportunities and calls for volunteer service
PPB seeking comments on first review of Directives until June 14:
Website: https://www.portland.gov/police/directives-overview/first-universal-review
Directives: 0652.00 Search Warrants, 0830.00 Arrest without warrant, 0840.00 Arrest with warrant, 0860.30 Citations in Lieu of Custody
Comment period for 2nd universal review of PPB directives on Air Support Unit, Premises Entry, Contact with Members of Immigrant Communities, and Diplomatic and Consular Immunity ends this Wednesday, May 31. website
Policing and crime
Highly covered incidents:
2023-05-23: KPTV - Private security guard who shot man outside Lowe’s in Portland gets life in prison
Crime and the impact of crime:
2023-05-24: KOIN - Portland, OR police arrest 35, bust chop shop during stolen vehicle operations
2023-05-22: Oregonian - Records show REI’s frustration with Portland officials ahead of planned closure
Police and policing:
2023-05-26: PPB - PPB's Human Trafficking Unit Selected for Demonstration Site
2023-05-25: KGW - District Attorney staff join efforts to recover stolen cars
2023-05-24: KATU - Frustration, excitement follow Portland's agreement on body camera policy after delay
2023-05-24: PPB - PPB to Participate in Safety Belt and Child Seat Awareness Campaign
PPB Staffing Report Updates May 23:
sworn members: 805 (+0) sworn officers: 533 (+0)
Officers in training: 98 (+0)
Officers non-patrol: 125 (+1)
Officers on leave: 29 (+1)
Patrol officers: 281 (-2). East: 91 (-2), Central: 99 (+0), North: 91 (+0)
Other stories:
Politics and policy
Criminal justice system:
2023-05-23: Skanner - Governor Kotek Seeks Changes to Legislature's Overhaul of Public Defense System
City:
2023-05-26: Mercury - City Leaders Lambast Joint Office of Homeless Services, Call For Heightened Budget Scrutiny
2023-05-26: OPB - Portland’s political makeover, and the plan to create 4 new districts, is underway
2023-05-24: Mercury - "PBOT Is on Life Support": Inside Portland’s Transportation Budget Crisis
County:
2023-05-25: KGW - Portland news: Man died waiting 32 minutes for ambulance
2023-05-24: OPB - Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt draws 2024 challenger from the inside
State:
Federal:
2023-05-27: OPB - Sen. Wyden on Oregon’s semiconductor industry, the debt limit crisis — and the Trail Blazers
2023-05-24: Oregonian - Sen. Wyden heralds Homeland Security embracing body-worn cameras, citing force used in Portland
Transportation:
2023-05-25: PBOT - Vision Zero May 2023 Newsletter
2023-05-24: Bike Portland - TriMet board approves fare hike at raucous meeting full of protestors
2023-05-22: Oregonian - She died on Portland’s streets, but not how her desperate family imagined: ‘She still had hope’
Education:
2023-05-22: KOIN - OR Special Election: Multnomah Education Service District Board to welcome youngest member
2023-05-22: Oregonian - Oregon lawmakers approve fentanyl education bill, lessons would begin by fall 2024
Addiction:
2023-05-24: Oregonian - ‘One piece of a broader plan’ brings 17 more beds for stabilizing people who are intoxicated
2023-05-22: KOIN - ODs spike in Portland, drug dealers 'own these streets'
Housing:
2023-05-24: Willamette Week - When Oregon Changed the Terms on Subsidized Housing Deals, Private Lenders Balked
Homelessness:
2023-05-26: KOIN - SE Portland, OR Safe Rest Village 'meet, greet' gathers housed, unhoused neighbors