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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 23, 2015)
September 23, 2015 Page 5 City Makes Progress on Police Reforms But first assessment has many issues remaining O livia O livia T he P ortland O bserver The city of Portland has its first report card on how it’s doing in making progress on police reforms in light of last year’s settlement of a law- suit over the way police deal with people with mental ill- ness and others, including people of color. The Department of Justice met with the Albina Ministe- rial Coalition for Justice and Police Reform, as well as Mayor Charlie Hales, Com- missioner Amanda Fritz, Auditor Mary Hull Cabal- lero, and Police Chief Lar- ry O’Dea last week to dis- cuss the report, which will be presented at the October meeting of the Community Oversight Advisory Board. “The Portland Police Bu- reau has been working hard by T. Allen Bethel to implement the provisions outlined in the Settlement Agreement,” Chief O’Dea said. “This report now gives us the first feedback from all of our efforts so far. I am pleased that we are partially compliant for a large part of their recommendations.” The Albina Ministerial Coalition had a separate re- sponse, noting that so many issues remain. “The city has made prog- ress, but the community needs to see more on some key issues of accountability and oversight,” said Dr. T. Allen Bethel, co-chair of the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition. The report notes that the city has not yet acted on the “48 hour rule,” a provision in the Portland Police Associa- tion’s Collective Bargaining Agreement that provides for 48-hour advance notice be- fore an officer is interviewed in an investigation that could lead to disciplinary action. The justice group points out how this practice departs from national best policing practices by not requiring statements from officers in a timely fashion. Another point of contention is the re- porting on when police use deadly force. “The recent case involv- ing the tasering and beat- ing of teenager Thai Gurule demonstrates that this did not happen,” a statement from the coalition said. “The community awaits account- ability regarding that case, specifically whether any of- ficers will be held account- able for their conduct.” The full Justice Depart- ment report can be read at justice.gov/usao-or/pr/ us-v-city-portland-compli- ance-assessment-report. Portland Renter Protections Proposed Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman has responded to last week’s protest over sky- rocking rents and an onslaught of no-cause evictions this sum- mer by proposing some renter protections. Saltzman wants to require landlords to provide tenants with a 90-day notice on no- fault evictions, instead of the current 30-day requirement, and also a 90 day notice for rent hikes of over 10 percent. His proposal drew the support of Mayor Charlie Hales. “Our city is experiencing re- cord low vacancy rates coupled with record high rents, creating the perfect storm of housing uncertainty for many Portland families,” Saltzman said. Subscribe ! 503-288-0033 Fill Out & Send To: Attn: Subscriptions, PO Box 3137, Portland OR 97208 $45.00 for 3 months • $80.00 for 6 mo. • $125.00 for 1 year (please include check with this subscription form) Name: Telephone: Address: or email subscriptions@portlandobserver.com Advertise with diversity in The Portland Observer Call 503-288-0033 or email ads@portlandobserver.com The proposal fell short from what the Community Alliance of Tenants demanded: A one- year moratorium on all evic- tions and a 12-month notice for rent hikes over 5 percent. According to commercial broker Marcus & Millichap, the average Portland apartment is now renting at a record-break- ing $1,100 per month. The Law Offices of Patrick John Sweeney, P.C. Patrick John Sweeney Attorney at Law 1549 SE Ladd, Portland, Oregon Portland: Hillsoboro: Facsimile: (503) 244-2080 (503) 244-2081 (503) 244-2084 Email:Sweeney@PDXLawyer.com Corner Stone Community Cogic C hristian W omen C ouncil Sixth Annual Scholarship Benefit Twelve Tribes Cuisine Festival Saturday October 3, 2015 Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church 4927 NE 55th Ave. Portland, Or 97218 1:00pm – 4:00pm Get ready for fine dining at its’ best! Italian • Oriental • Mexican • African • American • Soul • Cajun • B-B-Q • Seafood Southern • Vegetarian • Desert • Salads and more Donation $12.00 10yrs. - Adults 9yrs. & under pay at door $1.00 each year of age This event supports the Della Mae Johnson Scholarship Foundation For more information, please call 503 283-6312
