In an attempt to address the complex issue of homelessness, Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler are taking steps to ensure public safety while striving to offer assistance to those in need. According to a joint statement released yesterday, the focus is on individuals who have repeatedly refused services and are in violation of Portland’s Time, Place, and Manner (TPM) ordinance. Under the new strategy, these individuals may be brought into the corrections system as a way to create additional opportunities for intervention.
The booking process involves a preliminary search, identification verification, and recording of charges. Persons taken into custody will then undergo the recognizance process, which determines whether they will be released or held until arraignment based on the Presiding Judge’s Order. In addition to these steps, an MCSO representative will offer shelter and services through the Street Service Coordination Center (SSCC), providing avenues for support upon release. "As sheriff, public safety is my primary responsibility," Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell told MCSO News. "I respect the city council’s decision to increase enforcement for livability issues and am committed to working together to identify solutions that address the broader context of homelessness and public safety."
Mayor Wheeler also emphasized the focus on a small subset of the homeless population that continues to break the law despite numerous outreach attempts. "This solution aligns with our shared goal of ending unsheltered homeless in Portland in a compassionate and effective way. Arrest and booking brings accountability for the small number of people who decline to follow the law despite repeated outreach and resource referrals," stated Mayor Wheeler, according to the MCSO News. Over the next 120 days, the Sheriff’s Office plans to collect and analyze data to determine the effectiveness and sustainability of this approach.
The collaboration between the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Portland aims to strike a balance between maintaining public safety and addressing the challenges of homelessness. The Multnomah County corrections facilities will remain available to book all state codified misdemeanor, and felony charges. As this new strategy unfolds, the officials involved have committed to monitoring its impact and continuing their search for innovative solutions to support the public safety needs of the entire Portland community.
