Portland, Oregon to start enforcing camping ban Nov. 13, police increasing walking patrols ahead of holidays

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Portland city leaders announced a new public safety initiative on Monday, including enforcement of the city’s ban on illegal camping starting Nov. 13 and a walking patrol in the downtown core.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler was joined by interim Police Chief Bob Day at the press conference, setting for the new regulations ahead of the holiday months.

The investments in the downtown Portland area come as the city faces several crime and public safety problems, as well as ongoing homelessness and drug crises.

In two weeks, the mayor said Portland Police will be authorized to enforce the city’s illegal camping ban.

He said people will have to receive two written citations before an arrest occurs, and any enforcement will be involved with the Street Services Coordination Team in an effort to connect people with services.

People should also report any camps through the 3-1-1 line or through the PDXreporter site.

Wheeler said this comes as one Temporary Alternative Shelter Site is open, and plans are underway for a second location.

We’re not going to do blanket enforcement until we have alternative, sufficient locations for people. The police bureau will be using it selectively in a strategic manner to emphasize those areas that are the most problematic,” he said.

Day said Portland Police officers will increase their presence in the downtown core with a walking patrol, including at least two teams going out a day.

While there was no immediate start date, he added it would begin before the holiday season and through the New Year.

KATU asked why PPB isn’t extending these patrols longer than January.

A couple things. One, it is the most in policing your foot patrols are your most expensive and they cover the least amount of area,” said Day.

Day said he will evaluate the success of that program in the new year.

If the results are successful then I’m all about building on good work. Right? So it’s just going to be, like I said, a matter of looking at whether or not we can continue to do so organization-wide, whether or not we have the funding, etc, but, you know, I’m hopeful that if it’s successful if it’s working well and it’s something we can build upon then I’m all about that and I think there’s a lot of areas you can do it besides downtown,” he said.

KATU also spoke with the president of the Portland Business Alliance about these changes.

“We need all of these resources to kick start the revitalization of downtown. Every single part helps, but we know it’s not just on the city and it’s not just on the business community. We need, like the mayor mentioned, even more state officers present in downtown because it’s making a noticeable impact,” said Andrew Hoan.

As for enforcement of the camping ban, Wheeler said he wants to build on the success of alternative camping sites moving forward.