Police Searching For More Protesters Who May Have Broken Law
Portland, Oregon – Police are trying to track down more protesters who may have broken the law over the weekend in downtown Portland. The protest has made national news after dueling demonstrations turned violent. Some dressed in black attacked a conservative writer Andy Ngo, that sparked outrage. Portland’s Police Union is mad too. The Union accused Mayor Ted Wheeler of not allowing officers to move quickly enough to stop the violence. The Mayor’s advisor on public safety says that’s not the case. Three people were arrested this weekend and the Mayor’s office says detectives are investigating the assault to Ngo. Here are photos of the suspects police are trying to track down:
Text CRIMES (274637) – Type 823HELP, followed by the tip or online at http://crimestoppersoforegon.
* Specially trained officers were deployed in the field and attempted to separate the countering groups of individuals in an attempt to prevent assaults, while continuing to permit free speech as required by law. Several assaults did occur and as officers learned of the assaults, efforts were made to maneuver resources to assist in providing medical care, and to identify and apprehend any involved suspects.
* As the event progressed, Officers observed a number of participants in the crowd who concealed and brandished weapons, including collapsible batons, projectiles, and firearms, to name a few. Attempts were made to effect arrests when possible and resources were available. The presence of weapons in the crowd and assaults on police officers were factors taken into consideration in how to safely and effectively manage a situation that turned into civil disorder.
* Law enforcement resources in crowd management situations are deployed with great thought and consideration and in groups in order to be most effective. Attention is given to balancing the safety of demonstrators, safety of officers and first responders, First Amendment rights, infrastructure, and property. These resources can take time to deploy and shift as situations change and develop.
* There is no current law or ordinance prohibiting covering of the face in a protest and commission of a crime, which makes it more difficult for investigators to identify perpetrators of violence. This is exploited by criminals who engage in acts of violence.
* Per Oregon Revised Statute, 181A.250, law enforcement is unable to record demonstration events unless there is criminal activity occurring.
“The members of the Portland Police Bureau and our partner agencies worked diligently in difficult circumstances on Saturday in an attempt to keep the peace, then respond to violence perpetrated by some of the participants as the event devolved,” said Chief Danielle Outlaw. “These events are dynamic in nature and challenging to predict and manage. The acts of a select group of violent individuals do not define Portland, but do have a negative impact on all of us. We are determined to pursue every lead with the goal of arresting those who engaged in crimes and holding them accountable. The public should be aware of the time it takes to shift resources and address violence; it is not immediate and officers have to weigh many factors in their approach. Even with this approach, some of our law enforcement and community members were subject to pepper spray, projectiles, and assault, which is unacceptable and impeded our ability to assist others.”
Read more previous coverage:
To federal law enforcement: investigate & bring legal action against a Mayor who has, for political reasons, ordered his police officers to let citizens be attacked by domestic terrorists. https://t.co/5xyCDARICl https://t.co/c0Tf3SsKEf
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 30, 2019