Portland police are investigating a disturbing case of racist graffiti in North Portland after someone spray-painted “whites only” on the front door of an apartment, according to officers. The message was discovered Wednesday during a follow-up visit tied to reports the night before of a man trying to force his way into several units. The Portland Police Bureau says the case is being handled as a possible bias crime while investigators work to track down witnesses.
Officers first responded just before 9 p.m. Tuesday after multiple callers reported a man knocking on or attempting to kick in several apartment doors. Police briefly contacted someone who matched the descriptions given by witnesses but did not make an arrest because they did not have probable cause at the time, as reported by KATU. When officers returned the next afternoon, they found “whites only” scrawled on the front door of one unit and provided the resident with information on state bias-response services. Police have not released descriptions of the resident or any suspect and say no additional details are available to the public at this time.
How Oregon Defines a Bias Crime
Under Oregon law, there is a key distinction between noncriminal bias incidents and bias crimes. Bias crimes are criminal offenses that are motivated, at least in part, by a victim’s protected characteristic, such as race or national origin, according to the Oregon Department of Justice. The agency also runs a confidential Bias Response Hotline that connects survivors and witnesses with trauma-informed advocates and offers options for reporting and follow-up support.
Portland Police Procedures
The Portland Police Bureau’s field-operations directive on bias-event response instructs officers to document any indicators of bias at the scene, offer victims referral information, and coordinate investigations under ORS 166.155 and ORS 166.165, according to the city’s policy. The guidance directs officers to state resources, including the Oregon DOJ hotline, as part of what the bureau describes as a victim-centered approach to handling these cases.
What Neighbors Should Know
Police say the targeted resident has been given information about Oregon’s Bias Response Hotline, and investigators are asking anyone with video, photos, or tips from Tuesday night to contact the Portland Police Bureau, as reported by KATU. For people who prefer to seek confidential support or report a bias incident without going through local police, the Oregon Department of Justice’s hotline and online reporting system are available to residents statewide.
