The latest example of jurisdictional dysfunction has us screaming"Can't we all just get on the same page?"
The Multnomah County Sheriff has refused to book the first person arrested for violating the Portland's new camping policy and has now DOUBLED-DOWN in a Tuesday statement expressing her ideological opposition to booking these cases. More here:
RPC, along with many other residents, businesses, and neighborhood groups, supported the city's ordinance and we expect all parts of the justice system to function as intended. The Sheriff's position, however, appears to be that she doesn't agree with the law, as passed, and therefore won't enforce it. We hope she will clarify her position, but we don't think any public official should be able to not peform a duty simply because they don't agree with it.`
We agree with Mayor Ted Wheeler's disappointment at this lack of cooperation and are pleased he is not backing down. He's instructed PPB to keep doing their jobs...
Remember this is the overwhelmingly popular "time, place, and manner" city law passed by Portland City Council unanimously earlier this year. It is a rational and reasonable city policy that takes extra steps to offer alternatives to jail. And it was voted on TWICE (and double-scrutinized) in order to survive legal challenges.
This all began last Friday, when Portland police officers arrested a person for violating the law, as city officials said he refused to accept shelter services. He was accused of violating the city’s time, place and manner rules that ban camping on public property or a public right-of-way. Only when officers took him in for booking were they informed that the MCSO wouldn't do it.
It is IMPORTANT to note that arrests only come after repeated warnings and protections are in place for those sleepign on the streets. If a person does not have access to reasonable alternative shelter including congregate options, transitional housing, hotels and motels, they can't be arrested.
But this mess leaves us to once again ask one simple question...."Can't we all just get on the same page?" We won't solve our livability crisis as long as these divisions persist.
Check out our Take Action page to make your voice heard.
Comments