FROM: Steve Powers, City Manager, Salem, Oregon
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd died while in custody of the Minneapolis Police Department. The circumstances of Mr. Floyd’s death have resulted in peaceful protests and demonstrations throughout the United States. In a number of instances since May 25, 2020, including incidents in Portland and Eugene, individuals have engaged in unlawful and dangerous activity, including arson, rioting, looting, and destruction of public and private property. This unlawful behavior is a threat to public health and safety, and public and private property, and increases the burden on public safety personnel and resources. These threats exacerbate the negative impacts already imposed on the community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, pursuant to Salem Revised Code (SRC) 2.670, I, Steve Powers, acting as the City’s Emergency Program Manager, hereby determine that emergency conditions exist, such that there is not adequate time to convene the City Council to present a request to declare an emergency, and therefore I issue this Declaration of State of Emergency and Emergency Order.
The emergency or threatened emergency conditions are:
Unlawful conduct related to the death of George Floyd have occurred throughout the United States, including Oregon. This conduct includes rioting, looting, and destruction of public and private property.
The damage or potential damage is:
The possibility of death and injury to persons and destruction of public and private property.
The location or geographic area affected is:
city of Salem.
The resources committed and actions initiated by the City are:
The City’s Emergency Operations Center is authorized to activate specific to the threatened conditions.
The special regulations hereby ordered as a result of the state of emergency are:
- A curfew is has been throughout the city of Salem in all public places during the following times:
- 8:00 p.m. Saturday, May 30, 2020 to 6:00 a.m. Sunday, May 31, 2020.
- 8:00 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2020 to 6:00 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2020.
- 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 1, 2020 by 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
- During the periods the curfew is in effect, travel on any public street, sidewalk, or other public place is prohibited. The following individuals are exempt from the curfew:
- Law enforcement, fire, emergency medical response, governmental personnel performing an authorized activity, and members of the media, acting in the performance of their duties,
- Individuals that are; traveling directly to and from their place of employment, traveling in the performance of their work, traveling to seek medical care, traveling to avoid a dangerous condition, and unsheltered individuals.
- The City Manager is authorized, pursuant to SRC 2.680(a)&(c) to take actions as may be necessary to protect the life, safety, and health of persons, property, or the environment or to implement this order, including, but not limited to; redirecting City funds for emergency use and suspending standard City procurement procedures, direct the utilization of City-owned resources, designate persons to coordinate the work of agencies responding to the emergency.
Duration:
This Declaration and Order shall terminate, unless expressly extended by the Salem City Council, at 6:00 a.m. on JUNE 2, 2020, unless extended.
Steven D. Powers
Steven D. Powers, City Manager, Salem, Oregon
Date: Updated June 1, 2020