On Saturday night, following several weeks of protests near the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) was on duty to keep a vigilant eye on the situation for criminal behavior. Despite the increased police presence, no arrests were conducted on that evening, and no force was reportedly used by officers. In a guideline strictly adhered to by PPB, as part of PPB Directive 810.10, the department does not engage in immigration enforcement but maintains its role in upholding public safety and enforcing state laws.
An Incident Command Team was activated to better manage PPB's resources, which not only included Dialogue Liaison Officers and a Rapid Response Team but also a Sound Truck, and collaboration with partner organizations. This was an effort to ensure a coordinated response to any incidents that may have arisen during the monitoring. While no arrests have been made to date, PPB reminds the public not to hastily conclude that charges will not be forthcoming. Criminal activity is being investigated, and PPB plans to forward cases for prosecution to the Multnomah County District Attorney when feasible.
According to a statement on the PPB's official website, "Just because arrests are not made at the scene, when tensions are high, that does not mean that people are not being charged with crimes later." This suggests a careful and methodical approach to justice rather than a display of immediate action in a charged environment.
The public can find further information and statements regarding the ICE facility activity and PPB's roles and responsibilities in these matters via Mayor Wilson's statement and Chief Day's letter to the community. FAQ sections are also available to clarify any uncertainties regarding immigration and the PPB’s Public Order teams.
