Sunday, April 14, 2013

We need real reform in Portland, Oregon. Our Police Department is out of control.

A Multnomah County jury ruled Monday that the city of Portland must pay a 27-year-old man nearly $306,000 after police used a stun gun and pepper spray on him, punched him and dog-piled on top of him before they unlawfully arrested him for "criminally trespassing on a downtown sidewalk."

The money represents one of the bigger jury awards in recent excessive force cases against police.

Jurors found that police falsely arrested, battered and maliciously prosecuted Gallagher Smith after he quarreled with a doorman on Nov. 13, 2010, at the Aura nightclub on West Burnside Street.

(the above from mentalhealthportland.org site)

~If the city council wants to appeal this, they should use their own personal funds instead of our tax money. The police screwed up, again. The reason they screwed up again is because the mayor, chief, and council continue to give them a free pass to break the law. Now that this policy has cost citizens millions of dollars, perhaps the council should revisit this issue or they may be subject to the same federal investigation which has determined that our police department is out of control.

The murders of Aaron Campbell, Keaton Otis, and James Chasse, Jr. have never been resolved. None of the officers who broke the law and violated Police Department Procedures have been charged, tried,or prosecuted for these crimes.

We, the citizens of Portland, Oregon have paid millions for crimes committed by PDX police officers, the officers have not been disciplined or prosecuted. They continue to serve in spite of their illegal, arrogant, and abusive criminal behavior.

The shootings of James Jahar Perez and Kendra James may have been forgotten by some, but we have yet to see accountability or justice. This must change.

And now the council wants to second-guess our judicial system when they find our out of control Police Bureau at fault in roughing up and arresting Mr. Smith for no good reason. We have a right to walk down the sidewalk without being assaulted by the officers we pay to protect us.

We deserve an explanation from our council and some discipline and more responsible leadership in our Police Bureau. And if not, we need to know why.

in solidarity and with best regards,
Tim Flanagan

http://www.ThePortlandAlliance.org/policeaccountability

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Health Care Forum! Michael Dembrow, NE PDX state legislator, explains Universal health care!


Community Health Care Forum


Michael Dembrow, NE PDX state legislator,
explains Universal health care!


Tuesday, April 9th, at 7PM at
806 NE Alberta St

St. Andrew Community Center