Portland Police Are Ready For Inauguration Day
Although no threats related to Inauguration Day or events following Inauguration Day have been identified in Portland, the city’s Unified Command, including the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), Portland Emergency Management, and Portland Fire and Rescue, are coordinating with local and federal partners to increase public safety during this time.
Portland Prepares For Inauguration Day
A news conference was held on Wednesday outlining preparations for Inauguration Day. The PPB reminded those wanting to exercise their First Amendment rights concerning Inauguration Day to do so peacefully. The Unified Command will be appropriately staffed as a precaution and warned that the Police will not tolerate criminal activity.
Events will be monitored, and anyone engaging in violent activity or property destruction will be investigated and may be arrested and prosecuted on the day or at a later stage. Follow-up investigations and arrests will be made, and arrests will be made before cases are sent to the Multnomah County District Attorney.
Inauguration Day Event Liaison Teams can help event organizers plan a safe event for participants, Portland community members, and businesses. They can be contacted at [email protected].
Inauguration Day Behaviour That Won’t Be Tolerated In Portland
Criminal behavior will not be tolerated, and this includes:
- Assaultive behavior
- Blocking streets and vehicle or pedestrian traffic, including on freeways or major thoroughfares, is extremely dangerous and poses a life safety risk.
- Lighting fires and burning materials
- Unlawful weapons possession and/or use
- Vandalizing and damaging property
The Unified Command will make public address announcements via loudspeakers (from a sound truck) and on the PPB X feed at https://x.com/PPBAlerts.
The laws that apply include:
- Portland’s specific conduct rules and laws that apply to parks
- State Laws including:
- ORS 166.250 Unlawful Possession of Firearms
- 240 Carrying of Concealed Weapons
- 220 Unlawful Use of Weapon
- Bias-motivated crimes in terms of 166.165 and 166.155.
- PPB Directive, 10 Crowd Management/Crowd Control
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, ORS Chapter 659 A, Portland City Code Title 23, and other statutes and regulations.
- For ADA accommodation requests, please visit this article.
Prohibited items can be seized by police if they violate city, state, or federal law. Portland City Code provides that it is unlawful to carry a loaded firearm in public without a valid Oregon concealed handgun license or as specified in the code.
Oregon does not have concealed handgun license reciprocity with any other state. For more information on handguns, see ORS 166.250 and ORS 166.291.
Inauguration Day Tips
- Businesses: Remove sandwich boards, furniture, and construction materials and secure dumpsters to prevent objects from being used as projectiles, barricades, or fuel for fires.
- Report criminal activity: Call 9-1-1 in an emergency or the non-emergency dispatch at (503) 823-3333. Be aware that in the event of a significant incident, police service may be delayed
- Check security footage for criminal activity that could help PPB investigators if an incident occurs and report it.
- Mass gatherings can lead to traffic and public transportation disruptions and delays. TriMet may adjust service if an area becomes blocked, unsafe, or closed. TriMet riders and Portland Streetcar users should check their route schedule beforehand.
- To prepare, receive alerts, and find resources, sign up at https://www.readypdx.org/
- Up to $2,500 cash is offered by Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers for any information leading to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime. Tipsters may choose to remain anonymous.