Portland Police Bureau
08/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/03/2024 04:54
UPDATE #2: Mission Effective in Preventing Street Takeovers (Photo)
August 03, 2024 03:43
The first night of a multi-agency effort to deter street takeovers has been effective. PPB is unaware of any street or intersection takeovers, and there was limited speed racing and sideshow activity. Throughout the course of the night, officers, deputies, and troopers conducted high visibility patrols and proactive enforcement on dangerous driving. This proactive approach has shown to be effective in preventing and deterring illegal street racing activity.
During the mission, two people were killed and another was seriously hurt after the driver of a speeding vehicle eluded a traffic stop during the multi-agency street racing/takeover mission. The news release about that incident is available here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=533607
At 8:30 p.m., officers initiated a traffic stop on a driver on 2700 block of Northeast 82nd Avenue. The driver slow-rolled through a high school parking lot and was boxed in by 3 police vehicles (photo). He was arrested and an open bottle of tequila was found in the car. He was evaluated for DUII but refused an Intoxilyzer test. He was issued multiple citations and a notice of driver license suspension. The vehicle was towed (photo).
At 10:49 p.m., a motorcyclist riding at extremely high speeds eluded officers in attempting to stop him in the area of Northeast Airport Way and Northeast 148th Avenue and ran into a house in the 700 block of Northeast 160th Avenue. Officers surrounded the house and made numerous attempts to get the suspect to surrender. When he did not, officers applied for and were granted a warrant to enter the home. The suspect climbed onto the roof trying to get away, but then realized he was unable to escape and surrendered. He was arrested at 3:02 a.m., over 4 hours after the stop. The motorcycle (photo) was seized. As of this news release, he remains in custody pending charges.
These are preliminary statistics and may change as additional information comes in:
50 traffic stops
7 arrests
4 towed vehicles
11 citations issued
The Portland Police Bureau and partner agencies will continue to run this mission through Sunday, August 4th.
Photo descriptions:
-A Port of Portland Police vehicle with lights flashing behind a stolen vehicle attached to a tow truck
-A Multnomah County Sheriff's Office vehicle with lights flashing stopping a car
-A blue and white motorcycle parked next to a Portland Police vehicle
-a black car being towed
-a black car boxed in by 3 police vehicles
-suspect in handcuffs being walked to a police vehicle by an officer
###PPB###
***Original Messages Below***
The Portland Police Bureau and partner agencies have begun a regionwide mission to address illegal street racing, takeovers, and sideshow activity expected this weekend. Numerous officers, deputies, and troopers from Portland, Gresham, Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Port of Portland, Oregon State Police, and Vancouver Police Department are out looking for this dangerous and disruptive activity.
Tonight, the Portland Police Bureau will be sharing public safety updates on our Twitter/X page. If you're interested, please follow us here https://x.com/PortlandPolice .
To view the press conference held yesterday featuring Chief Bob Day and our regional partners, it is available on YouTube:
KPTV: https://www.youtube.com/live/GRSr8OCnPAM?si=yGe0dCNrSiRVHjGC
KOIN: https://www.youtube.com/live/GRSr8OCnPAM?si=mC_K6YGR7ESpbS6T
###PPB###
***Original Message Below***
The Portland Police Bureau is teaming up with partner law enforcement agencies to conduct a Street Takeover Mission this weekend.
PPB has learned that Portland will be the site of the West Coast Invitational this weekend. The street takeover event is expected to draw a significant number of people from across the region. PPB is partnering with law enforcement agencies based in the metro area, Oregon, and Southwest Washington to address criminal behavior.
Video of a past mission: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHVll_YcqkE
PPB wants to remind participants that street takeovers can result in jail time, fines, and towed vehicles.
ORS 811.127 addresses individuals who are facilitating or aiding another to engage in speed racing on a highway or reckless driving and individuals who obstruct or place a barricade on a highway or assist with placing an obstruction or barricade on a highway. The first offense is a misdemeanor while the second offense is a felony if committed within five years of the first offense.
In addition to that state statute and others, Portland City Code addresses this dangerous activity.
1. Unlawful street takeover event means an activity that is:
a. Unpermitted;
b. Preplanned or contemporaneously coordinated by two or more persons; and
c. Involves one or more persons demonstrating, exhibiting, or comparing the maneuverability or power of one or more motor vehicles in a curved direction, in a circular direction, or around corners, including but not limited to by breaking traction in a curved or circular direction or around corners.
2. A person commits the offense of an Unlawful Street Takeover if, in a public place or upon a highway, the person knowingly operates a motor vehicle while engaged in an unlawful street takeover event.
3.1. Highway means the entire width of a public right-of-way when any portion thereof is intended for motor vehicle movement or motor vehicle access to abutting property.
3.2. Public place means an area, whether publicly or privately owned, generally open to the public and includes, without limitation, the grounds surrounding buildings or dwellings, streets, sidewalks, bridges, tunnels, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, and parking lots.
See the full ordinance here: https://www.portland.gov/code/14/a30/080
The Portland Police Bureau has updated its vehicle towing policy and now authorizes towing for drivers operating vehicles without valid driving privileges and lack of insurance, and to address street takeovers.
The Bureau recently substantially revised Directive 0630.60, Vehicle Dispositions. Most significantly, the revised directive has the following changes:
1) The directive authorizes towing for certain offenses, such as unlicensed drivers, suspended drivers, and lack of insurance.
2) The directive authorizes towing for violating new Portland City Code, 14A.30.080, Unlawful Street Takeover and Unlawful Staging of a Street Takeover Event.
3) The directive provides new guidance on responding to stolen vehicles reported at tow lots, temporary holds for VIN inspections, and abandoned vehicle towing.
The most noteworthy change to revised Directive 0630.60 is the newly authorized towing for certain offenses such as driving uninsured, suspended, without a license, or in a street takeover pursuant to a new Portland City Code provision, 14A.30.080. This change brings the Bureau in line with both neighboring law enforcement agency common practice and state law authorization for towing. Additionally, the change was supported in public comments and among internal subject matter experts and stakeholders within the Bureau, and will serve as an additional tool for the Bureau to increase traffic safety.
While the policy allows for tows in circumstances where they were not permitted before, the policy does not require them in most cases. The policy specifically encourages Police Bureau members to exercise discretion in impounding vehicles under circumstances that may create undue hardship or risk to the occupants. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to: the presence of young children, elderly, or disabled persons; vehicles equipped for use by such persons; and vehicles used as homes.
Members of the public are encouraged, before driving on public roads, to verify that their driver's license is current and valid and that they have current proof of insurance.
PPB has previously released a video about this ordinance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrAt64cihw4
Every year, Portland Police officers respond to preventable collisions. These collisions can deeply impact those involved, their families and loved ones.
Future missions will be conducted as resources allow. These missions typically will not be preannounced, so participants are warned that they are risking arrest, towed vehicles, and traffic tickets if they take part in illegal street racing or takeovers. The goal of these missions is to deter people from engaging in these illegal and dangerous activities that are often related to crashes, shootings and other criminal activity.
Photo description: Vehicle towed during prior mission
Photo description: Man arrested during prior mission
Photo description: Gun seized during prior mission
###PPB###
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