🌱 Slow Police Response Time + Mozyrsky And Gonzalez Team Up

Saturday is here, friends and neighbors. Not that I'm implying that my neighbors aren't my friends. Then why didn't I just say "friends"? Oh, it's the weekend, I can't talk right. Besides, today there are:

• Proposed changes that may weaken police oversight
• The Pacific Northwest Metal Tour
• Explosive devices washing up on the beach

Let me tell you all about it!

But first, today's weather:

We've got an ideal sunny day with a high of 85. What a way to kick off the weekend!

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Here are the top stories in Portland today:

1. A committee tasked with providing police oversight may be weakened by proposed changes by the City of Portland. The Portland Community-Engaged Policing Committee was formed in part to help increase police accountability and oversight, which is why several members voiced concerns over these proposed changes, which could grant the city more power and less accountability. Some of the drafted changes presented by the city include removing mention of the DOJ settlement from the mission and goals, removing requirements for the mayor’s office to support and changing the policy which states the mayor can remove a PCCEP member for misconduct. (KOIN.com)
2. A local nonprofit is hosting a “No More Gun Violence” block party in North Portland this weekend. It’s the last of the summer series of events hosted by The Next G, a group that helps young men in the community. Maurice Fain, The Next G Founder, says Next G and other organizations across the city have embraced neighborhood organizing as a way to build safer communities. He believes events like block parties and gatherings throughout the summer work to create safe spaces for people to come together, have fun, feel safe and build a sense of community. (Fox 12 Oregon)
3. And we thought 911 wait times were bad. At 2:57 p.m. Sept. 16, an official at Franklin High School in Southeast Portland called 911 for help. Vice Principal Robyn Griffiths told the emergency dispatcher that someone had been flashing guns while driving by the high school. Despite the urgent nature of the call, BOEC records show a Portland police officer didn’t arrive on scene at Franklin High School until 4:17 p.m. — one hour and 20 minutes after the initial 911 call by school staff. (KGW.com)
4. They were opponents in the primary, but now Former Portland City Council candidate Vadim Mozyrsky, with the help of political consultant Kevin Looper, is launching a political action committee to support Rene Gonzalez. The described mission of the PAC is to “seek to help elect credible, accountable leaders to help move the Portland metro area forward in dealing effectively with issues related to its livability, community safety and social services.” Gonzalez is facing incumbent Commissioner Hardesty on the ballot. (Willamette Week)
5. "Illegal trash dumping is a problem that doesn’t seem to be getting any better for one northeast Portland neighborhood. Rodney Robbins lives in the Montavilla neighborhood and said trash in the street has been a problem for months, but recently, it’s gotten worse. Metro said its RID Patrol has taken at least three calls in the last week about garbage on Northeast 90th Avenue, near Robbins’ home." "A spokesperson for Metro said they’ve seen an increase in dumped garbage over the last couple of years across Portland. In the last 12 months, they’ve collected 1,100 tons of trash from 5,000 different locations." (KPTV)

Today in Portland:

• There's still time to celebrate Oktoberfest and you can do so today at 13th Moon Gravity Well. "Fressen Artisan Bakery will be providing real German soft pretzels and Amy will be on the grill with Edelweiss brats, sauerkraut and grilled onions. There will also be vegetarian options." And there's live music from local bands. 4:00 - 10:00 PM.
• The Pacific Northwest Metal Tour will be at the Big Legrowlski. Featuring The Fire Rising, Telomyras, Sunset the Machine and Psionic Haze. Four bands giving you all the metal you can handle! 7:00 - 11:30 PM.
• Be You & I : a Solo Show by Bui will be at the Secret Warehouse. "Bui is intense like the Bronx (his hometown), whimsical like Portland (his current city), and unexpected (like his future). A tapestry of storytelling, standup comedy, improv, dance, and a healthy dose of celery, Bui’s inaugural solo show is an eccentric expression of gratitude for human connection." Doors open at 7:30 PM.
• If you want a show full of insult hurling and name calling, come see Everyone Hates You at the Funhouse Lounge. "A fight club for comedians. Witness ego death as the best comics in Portland battle wits to see who has the most hilariously cutting insults. No topic is off limits. Audience votes the winner." 10:00 - 11:30 PM.
• The comedy rock juggernaut Jenny Sizzler will be playing at Tomorrow's Verse Taproom. Bring your dancing shoes but leave the little ones at home. FREE, 21+, plenty of great local beers on tap, outside food allowed. Showtime is 8:00 PM.

From my notebook:

• Portland Trail Blazers: "Love a good Greg Brown dunk 😮‍💨🤌" (Portland Trail Blazers via Instagram)
• Portland Audubon: "Spend a day tracing the wild and scenic White River with us on October 12! We’ll ride together in a van as we visit the river at access points to view its unique geology, exploring the varied flora and fauna along the way – from Cassin’..." (Portland Audubon via Instagram)
• Long walks on the beach are supposed to be relaxing, but if that beach is in the Newport area, it may be downright explosive. Newport Police say three explosive devices washed ashore Tuesday, prompting several calls to law enforcement. Each device was white in color and have a label attached to them that reads “Warning Explosive” and the label clearly states the item is a "Simulator Hand Grenade M116A." (KATU)
• I'm not sure if you heard about the 4.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Linn County yesterday, but this seems like a great time to let you know about the organization ShakeOut and International ShakeOut Day. At 10:20 am (local time) on 10/20, you can join millions of people across the world practicing earthquake safety. They keep telling us that the "Big One" is just around the corner, so we may as well be prepared for it. (ShakeOut)
• The Bead and Creative Arts Festival will be happening in Portland this weekend, at the DoubleTree by Hilton. "This wonderful sale of beads, beading supplies and other creative arts items will be in the Hilton exhibit hall with attached SAFE and free parking. Admission is $5.00, and volunteers get in free. They will have hourly drawings for door prizes, too." (Portland Bead Society)

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Thanks for reading and have an awesome weekend! Enjoy everything Portland has to offer. Well, maybe not everything. I still want you coming back to my newsletter next week. Ta ta for now.

— Dominic Anaya

About me: Doctor, educator and now a writer/artist, I'm just chillin' in Portland, OR with my wife, our ferrets, our chickens and our goats.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Portland Daily? Contact me at portland@patch.com