Portland Police Prep For Pride Parade This Weekend

From Portland Police: This weekend, Portland Police officers will be present at pride events in conjunction with Portland Pride Week.

The Bureau is aware of community concerns about groups or individuals planning to disrupt events. While the Bureau has been unable to verify any plans to disrupt events, we recognize the fear and uneasy feelings felt by many in our community.

"Members of the Portland Police Bureau will be participating in Pride events as usual," said Chief Danielle Outlaw. "We celebrate that we are an inclusive organization, with LGBTQ members and we want to show our support for them as well as our community. We remind community members that we take bias crimes seriously and I want to ensure this message is clear: Portland Police Officers are sworn to protect and dedicated to serve everyone."

"I look forward to participating in the Pride Parade, along with our staff and families," said Mayor Ted Wheeler. "I fully expect the event to be a safe, welcoming place to celebrate the diversity of our community and the value each of us has as an individual, regardless of our sexual orientation or gender identity."

"The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office expects this weekend to be full of celebration as we join hands to support our LGBTQ community," said Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill. "The District Attorney's office is committed to maintaining the laws of Oregon, supporting crime victims and holding everyone accountable for any criminal acts that occur in our jurisdiction, especially behavior that is rooted in hate and intolerance. We celebrate Pride as a collective group, proud of who we are and where we are going."

The Portland Police Bureau has a long-standing partnership with the LGBTQ community.

Information about the partnership, called the Alliance for Safer Communities (ASC), can be found by visiting PortlandOregon.gov.

The Bureau investigates all reports of bias-motivated crimes and encourages any member of our community who is the victim of such a crime to contact law enforcement.

Under Oregon law, bias crimes are defined as any criminal act that targets a victim based on the suspect's perception of the victim's race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.

Detectives work to determine whether or not bias elements are present during the reported crime that align with Oregon law as defined in the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS):

• ORS 166.165 — Intimidation in the First Degree
• ORS 166.155 — Intimidation in the Second Degree

If you have knowledge of planned criminal behavioral, have been the victim of a bias crime assault or you are witnessing one, immediately call 9-1-1.

If you have been the victim of a different bias crime and the suspect is no longer present, such as vandalism or graffiti, please call the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.

To learn more about bias crime investigations, click here.

The Bureau has several community advisory groups and outreach opportunities for community members and police officers to come together.

Advisory groups include the Portland Muslim Community Police Council, the Alliance for Safer Communities, the African American Advisory Council, and the Slavic Advisory Council.

To learn more about these advisory groups and the Bureau's commitment to the Portland community, click here.

Additionally, the City of Portland is a partner in Portland United Against Hate, which is a community initiated partnership of Community Based Organizations, Neighborhood Associations, concerned communities and the City.

To learn more, please visit PortlandOregon.gov.

To learn more about Portland Pride Week events, please visit PrideNW.org.

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