In an operation that's part typical policing and part PR move, the Transit Police have wrapped up a high-impact sweep in Hazelwood, netting 28 arrests amid concerns over criminal activities ranging from drug dealing to disorderly conduct. The joint task force, composed of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Portland Police Bureau (PPB), and the Port of Portland Police, concentrated their seven-hour effort last Thursday along Northeast 122nd Avenue, a known hotspot between Northeast Halsey and Southeast Division Streets. The law enforcement presence, as recounted by the MCSO, aimed to address the uptick in crime in the area, particularly focusing on violence and narcotics.
While combing the area for nefarious activities, officers and deputies, looking to respond to the neighborhood's distress calls, encountered a man using drugs just across from a pediatric clinic. The individual soon became unresponsive while still breathing, prompting the officials to administer Naloxone in a lifesaving response and call for an ambulance. "AMR and Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) responded and took the man to a hospital," MCSO's report detailed the incident revealing the proximity of drug use and the potential dangers to public safety.
The crackdown yielded numerous charges, largely dominated by the possession and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Alongside these drug-related offenses, the sweep also cleared multiple felony and misdemeanor warrants, involved the towing of five vehicles, and even led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle. MCSO capitalized on this moment to establish a temporary booking facility that streamlined the process, purportedly allowing officers to stay on the streets longer during the targeted mission.
Feedback on this high-octane blitz from the local community suggested a breath of relief. One employee from the pediatric clinic, grateful for the police presence addressing a threat so close to their doorstep, told officers, "it was a relief to see the recurring public safety issues addressed and thanked them for coming," according to the MCSO. "There’s no doubt the mission’s collaborative approach amplified its impact," Captain Matt Jordan of the MCSO, who stands at the helm of Transit Police, added, acknowledging the collective effort to fortify the neighborhood's sense of security.
The efficacy of these focused patrols is a point of debate, but for the time being, Transit Police are vowing to continue their vigilant watch, promising to adapt and respond to crime trends swiftly along TriMet’s system. Local businesses and residents, so it appears, are on board with whatever methods yield a safer environment. The MCSO has released several photos from the operation, available for media use given proper credit is attributed to the sheriff's office. The overarching goal remains the same – to bolster the community's safety, ensuring that TriMet platforms and bus stops are not just transit points but secure spaces for the commuting public.
