Community safety — NOT copaganda!

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Portland needs police to support real public safety – NOT “copaganda” public relations or passive-aggressive bullying tactics

community safety — not copaganda!

Portland’s elected leaders should support all Portlanders. Everyone deserves to be safe regardless of where we live, what we look like, or how much money we make.

Community safety requires real solutions. Real solutions mean:

  • Prioritizing police for serious crimes such as shootings and physical violence, and prioritizing the trained first responders at Portland Street Response for non-criminal situations involving homelessness, drug addiction, mental illness, and other similar situations.
  • Preventing and addressing police misconduct and violence because no one in Portland should fear mistreatment or violence from a police officer.
  • Making sure the City addresses the root causes of crime, which requires the City to allocate sufficient dollars to support stability and services in all communities.

City Councilors Sameer Kanal and Angelita Morillo have been champions for these types of real solutions to safety in Portland.

However, it appears that some Portland police officers, or their leadership, may disagree with the Councilors and wish to demonstrate their disagreement in a public manner. The Oregonian reported that five uniformed officers showed up at a recent town hall held by Councilor Kanal, not at his invitation, and two uniformed officers showed up at Councilor Morillo’s town hall, not at her invitation. The officers also made no effort to communicate with the councilors ahead of, or at, their town halls, except when asked why they were present. Some officers even evaded explaining their presence.

It is concerning that so many officers went to councilor events they were not invited to — in uniform and on City time and dollar — while the Portland police persistently complain about their “staffing challenges.” It is also concerning that the Portland police appear to engage in significant and expensive “copaganda” public relations to shape public perception and policy instead of their core duties related to public safety. All of this is especially concerning because of the City’s longer police response times and plummeting crime clearance rates.

Portlanders can use the action alert below to tell Portland Mayor Wilson, Council President Pirtle-Guiney, Council Vice President Koyama Lane, and the rest of City Council that you want real safety solutions and police accountability, not passive-aggressive bullying and “copaganda” public relations tactics by police.

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Your Message
Use the form to send a message to the Portland mayor, and City council members.
Dear Mayor Wilson, Council President Pirtle-Guiney, Council Vice President Koyama Lane, and the rest of the Portland City Council,

City Councilors Sameer Kanal and Angelita Morillo have been champions for real solutions to safety in Portland.

However, it appears that some Portland police officers or their leadership may disagree with the Councilors and wish to demonstrate their disagreement in a public manner. The Oregonian reported that five uniformed officers showed up at a recent town hall held by Councilor Kanal, not at his invitation, and two uniformed officers showed up at Councilor Morillo’s town hall, not at her invitation. The officers also made no effort to communicate with the councilors ahead of or at their town halls, except when asked why they were present. Some officers even evaded explaining their presence.

It is concerning that so many officers went to councilor events they were not invited to – in uniform and on City time and dollar – while the Portland police persistently complain about their “staffing challenges.” It is also concerning that the Portland police appear to engage in significant and expensive “copaganda” public relations to shape public perception and policy instead of their core duties related to public safety. All of this is especially concerning because of the City’s longer police response times and plummeting crime clearance rates.

As a resident of Portland, I ask the Mayor and City Council to:

1. Prioritize police for serious crimes, and prioritize Portland Street Response for non-criminal situations involving homelessness, drug addiction, mental illness, and similar situations.

2. Support the Community Board for Police Accountability so it can help set real accountability for Portland police and lessen police misconduct and violence in our city.

3. As you make budget decisions, make sure the City is addressing the root causes of crime which requires allocating sufficient City dollars to support stability and services in our communities – including services like Portland Street Response – especially in our historically-disenfranchised neighborhoods.

4. Take the actions necessary to ensure that Portland police officers are not using city time and resources to engage in activities that undermine City policies or values, including surveillance of people they consider political opponents or passive-aggressive bullying and “copaganda” tactics, towards anyone.

Community safety — NOT copaganda!

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]