Law enforcement in Portland, Oregon, executed its first arrest under a recently established ordinance aimed at restricting camping on public property; however, the county jail declined to book the individual.
This incident marks yet another setback for city leaders striving to combat the widespread issue of homeless encampments.
“It is disappointing that the Sheriff’s office opted not to book individuals apprehended for breaching the law,” stated Mayor Ted Wheeler to Fox News Digital. “I harbor profound concerns regarding this disconnect and its implications for future public safety initiatives.”
The newly implemented camping restrictions in Portland began on July 1. Those who decline shelter offers could face penalties of up to seven days in jail under the ordinance, yet the county jail refrained from booking an individual arrested for violating this law last week. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
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Last Friday, police detained a man who repeatedly refused offers of shelter, including a tiny home, as reported by a spokesperson for the Portland Police Bureau to Fox News Digital. Although officers transported him to the downtown jail, staff refused to process him, leading to his release.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), which manages the two local jails, indicated through Deputy John Plock that they only handle bookings for individuals charged with state misdemeanors or felonies, and not for violations of local statutes.
This policy follows an August 2023 order from Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell, Plock added.
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This decision took city officials, including the mayor, by surprise. He noted that his office had several discussions with Morrisey O’Donnell and her team “over the past year and a half to gather input on the city’s public camping regulations.”
“I urge the Sheriff to reevaluate her stance,” his statement emphasized.
MCSO has yet to respond to Fox News Digital’s inquiries via email; however, Morrisey O’Donnell clarified on Tuesday that her office never consented to booking individuals who violate city ordinances.
“In my role as the elected official responsible for jail management, I believe it is essential to utilize the corrections system for those who genuinely threaten public safety, which does not include individuals whose sole infraction is living unsheltered,” Morrisey O’Donnell stated in her announcement.
On July 7, 2023, tents filled an open space near the Steel Bridge in Portland, Oregon. The newly enacted regulations prohibit camping on public property for individuals with “reasonable alternative shelter.” It also restricts campers from igniting fires, using gas heaters, creating environmental harm, constructing structures, and mandates keeping all belongings within two feet of their tent. (Hannah Ray Lambert/Fox News Digital)
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In recent years, Oregon’s homeless population has surged significantly. The situation is most evident in the state’s largest city, where tents, RVs, and encampments frequently dominate sidewalks, parks, and other public spaces.
The Portland City Council approved a daytime camping ban last year, but enforcement was halted due to a lawsuit claiming it infringed upon state law.
In May, commissioners unanimously passed new regulations regarding the time, place, and manner of camping on public property, barring those with access to “reasonable alternative shelter.” Individuals rejecting shelter offers risk facing a $100 fine, seven days in jail, or both according to the ordinance.
Even when shelter options are unavailable, camping is still forbidden on roads or any area obstructing access to businesses or private properties.
Since the ordinance’s implementation on July 1, the city has conducted over 3,600 site assessments. Most of the campers approached have accepted shelter offers or complied with the imposed restrictions, as per a spokesperson for the mayor’s office to Fox News Digital.
The arrest on Friday was reported as the first instance since the new ordinance took effect, according to Willamette Week. The mayor’s office emphasized that outreach employees had reached out to the man at the campsite multiple times before referring the situation to law enforcement.
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Frustration has been expressed by Portland officials, including Wheeler, over state legislation and legal challenges that have complicated efforts to manage problems like camping and public drug use.
Oregon is set to reinstate penalties for drug possession as of September 1. Individuals discovered with drugs will have the option between jail time or local diversion programs; however, Wheeler has raised concerns over the sheriff’s policy for those opting out of diversion.
The sheriff’s office has allocated 1,130 beds across its two facilities and previously indicated that overcrowding could lead to the release of some inmates. The average daily population has been maintained at around 80% of capacity or less since the sheriff’s directive in August 2023, based on MCSO statistics.
