A June 11 neighborhood meeting in Lents turned tense when the head of Portland’s police union warned that Mayor Keith Wilson’s proposed budget cuts could widen what he called a growing safety gap in outer East Portland. Sgt. Aaron Schmautz told residents that fewer patrols and shrinking civilian support programs are already changing daily life for families and small businesses, and he urged neighbors to pay attention before the cuts officially take hold.
Union Leader Sounds Alarm At Local Meeting
Speaking at the Lents Neighborhood Livability Association meeting, Schmautz, who serves as president of the Portland Police Association, described how thinning police staffing has reduced visible patrols and stretched response times. In an interview with East PDX News, he linked the drop in police presence to store closures and rising thefts in neighborhoods including Centennial, Hazelwood and Lents.
Budget Documents Show PS3 Cuts And Other Reductions
City budget records spell out the cuts that have the union on edge. The mayor’s budget decision package would reduce the Public Safety Support Specialist (PS3) program by 34 full‑time positions and cut roughly $4.5 million from PS3 funding. It also calls for multi‑million‑dollar reductions to training, external materials and services, and fleet and technology. According to the City of Portland budget decision package, those changes would shift low‑acuity work back onto sworn officers and trim the bureau’s capacity for proactive patrols.
PS3s Handle Thousands Of Low‑Priority Calls
PS3s are civilian employees who take non‑emergency reports and handle follow‑up work so sworn officers can stay focused on 911 calls. Union leaders say that losing a big chunk of that workforce is a serious concern because the program processed a heavy call load last year. As East PDX News reported, Schmautz told neighbors that the PS3 team handled about 25,000 lower‑priority calls last year, work that would land back on an already strained patrol force if the cuts go through.
Council Standoff And A Rescue Push
In mid‑June, the City Council failed to approve a package that would have restored some of the threatened positions and services, leaving labor leaders and neighborhood advocates warning of deeper service impacts. According to Willamette Week, the stalemate prompted several councilors to float a follow‑up proposal, dubbed the “Risk Reduction Rescue Plan,” that seeks to bring back peak‑hours PS3 coverage and key training dollars, based on the councilors’ announcement.
Neighbors Are Watching
Lents residents who filled the meeting room said they plan to keep pushing for restored patrols and support services in their neighborhood. The Lents Neighborhood Livability Association continues to post meeting minutes and community events for residents on its site. Neighbors can find the LNLA calendar and minutes, with meeting times and agendas, at LNLA.
