See attached letter from Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese regarding the annual Multnomah County Corrections Grand Jury Report.

“We thank the Grand Jurors and your staff for this insightful report,” Sheriff Reese said in a letter to District Attorney Mike Schmidt. “The COVID-19 global pandemic required this process to look much different this year, and I appreciate your team’s efforts to safely facilitate this important process. MCSO values the meaningful work by the Corrections Grand Jury, as they review the conditions and management of corrections facilities throughout Multnomah County.”

A full copy of the grand jury report, in compliance with ORS 132.440, can be obtained by clicking here.

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On behalf of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office: On Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, at approximately 7:56 p.m., the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a report of a burglary in progress and shots fired at a home in the 31000 block of NW Reeder Rd. on Sauvie Island in Columbia County. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Portland Police Bureau, Oregon State Police and Columbia City Police Department, are assisting CCSO with a possible barricaded subject.

Currently, a long stretch of NW Reeder Rd. is closed to all traffic, including access for local residents. NW Reeder Rd. is expected to remain closed for some time. Due to safety reasons, a media staging area has been established at the Sauvie Island Park & Ride on NW Gillihan Rd. A PIO is not responding at this time. More information will be released when it’s appropriate.

On Sunday, November 22, 2020, at approximately 5:35 p.m., Multnomah County Sheriff’s patrol deputies responded to reports of a multi-vehicle crash near the intersection of NE Marine Drive and NE Interlachen Ln. Because of the severity of the crash, responding deputies called for the East County Vehicular Crimes Team (ECVCT), a specially trained team of MCSO deputies and Gresham police officers trained in crash reconstruction, to investigate the deadly crash.

Investigators believe a 1999 Saab, traveling westbound on NE Marine Drive, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided a Chevrolet Suburban traveling eastbound. The driver and passenger in the Saab were ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. Three occupants in the Chevrolet were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

At the time of the crash, there was a steady flow of traffic and possibly additional witnesses who did not speak with police on scene. Investigators are asking for witnesses with any information to contact the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office at 503-988-0560. Refer to report #20-52114.

The occupants of the Saab will be identified at a later time once next of kin notifications are made. The investigation is ongoing, and no further comment can be made at this time.

The East County Vehicle Crimes Team is comprised of specially trained law enforcement members from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Gresham Police Department and Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. ECVCT is responsible for investigating serious or fatal vehicle crashes and crimes in Gresham, Fairview, Maywood Park, Troutdale, Wood Village and unincorporated Multnomah County.

This is the 29th ECVCT activation and 23rd and 24th deaths on roadways in these areas this year.

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On Friday, November 20, 202, at approximately 12:15 a.m., Multnomah County Sheriff’s patrol deputies responded to a report of a single vehicle crash in the 28400 block of E. Historic Columbia River Highway. Arriving deputies found the Mercedes CLA250 wedged between large trees with significant damage. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Collin Johnson, did not survive his injuries. Deputies activated the East County Vehicular Crimes Team (ECVCT), a specially trained team of MCSO deputies and Gresham police officers, to investigate the deadly crash.

ECVCT investigators believe Johnson was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control. The Mercedes left the roadway and collided with several large trees. No other vehicles are believed to be involved.

No further comment can be made on this investigation.

The East County Vehicle Crimes Team is comprised of specially trained law enforcement members from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Gresham Police Department and Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. ECVCT is responsible for investigating serious or fatal vehicle crashes and crimes in Gresham, Fairview, Maywood Park, Troutdale, Wood Village and unincorporated Multnomah County.

This was the 28th ECVCT activation and 22nd death on roadways in these areas this year.

On Sunday, November 8, at approximately 12:46 p.m., Multnomah County Sheriff’s patrol deputies responded to a report of a single vehicle crash in the 35000 block of SE Dodge Park Blvd. Arriving deputies discovered the driver had been ejected from the vehicle and did not survive her injuries.

Because of the severity of the crash, the East County Vehicular Crimes Team (ECVCT) responded. Preliminary investigation suggests the driver, 46-year-old Jennifer Brenner, was traveling on SE Dodge Park Blvd. when, for unknown reasons, the car left the roadway and collided with a tree, eventually coming to rest down an embankment.

The investigation is ongoing. No additional information is available at this time.

The East County Vehicle Crimes Team is comprised of specially trained law enforcement members from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Gresham Police Department and Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. ECVCT is responsible for investigating serious or fatal vehicle crashes and crimes in Gresham, Fairview, Maywood Park, Troutdale, Wood Village and unincorporated Multnomah County.

This is the 27th ECVCT activation and 21st death on roadways in these areas this year.

Fall driving tips:

• The days are becoming shorter which means visibility is reduced. Turn on your headlights and watch for pedestrians walking or biking on the roadway at dawn, dusk or night.
• With the time change, the sun rises and sets at different times. The sunset and sunrise may even occur during the morning and evening rush hour, producing a dangerous glare at the same time that many cars are on the road. Keep a pair of sunglasses in your car that you can wear to reduce sun glare.
• The cool overnight temperatures bring morning frost. Keep a snow broom/ice remover in your car and give yourself extra time to clear your windows of frost before you start driving. Also, be aware of frost on the roadways, especially when driving on bridges, overpasses or in a shaded area.
• Perform a vehicle check. Make sure all lights are working properly, tires have enough tread and properly inflated and check wipers and defrosters to ensure they are working properly.

UPDATE on Nov. 9, 2020:

The deceased female has been identified as Aubriel Leann Haskett, 24, of Silverton. The death investigation remains open and active. There is no threat to the public. No further information can be released at this time.

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ORIGINAL RELEASE on Nov. 2, 2020:

On Monday, November 2, 2020, at approximately 2:09 p.m., Multnomah County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a person down on the side of the road in the 31400 block of NE Mershon Rd. Deputies located a woman off the side of the road. She was pronounced deceased on scene. A death investigation is underway. NE Mershon is closed from 32040 NE Mershon Rd. to NE Wand Rd. indefinitely as the investigation into her death continues. No further comment can be made at this time. ###

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On Friday, November 6th, Unified Command learned of a planned demonstration scheduled for 8 p.m., at Director Park in Downtown Portland. As part of an ongoing proactive policing effort under the unified command, officers saturated the park ahead of the scheduled gathering time and performed high visibility patrols in the downtown core. Officers allowed individuals to gather and encouraged a safe and lawful demonstration. Officers, some on foot and others on bicycles, remained in the park and talked openly with several dozen demonstrators for hours. Topics ranged from voting, to how police shootings are investigated. By 11 p.m., both demonstrators and officers had left the park.

Because of the additional resources available under the unified command structure, law enforcement officers performed 26 traffic stops in Downtown Portland. Deputies issued three criminal citations and one moving violation.

Proactive policing efforts are expected to continue this weekend.

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On Thursday, November 5, 2020, at about 7:30 p.m., a group of about 60 people gathered at Arbor Lodge Park in North Portland. Police working with the unified command provided high visibility patrol presence in the area.

At about 8:45 p.m., the group left the park and walked east and south, blocking streets as they went. Police provided announcements to the crowd over a loudspeaker and on social media, directing people to use sidewalks and to refrain from engaging in criminal activity. The crowd ignored the warnings and continued marching in the street. The group gathered on North Holman Street at the home of Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan. While there, individuals broke a window, threw burning flares and paint filled balloons at the home, and broke potted plants. That criminal activity prompted police to declare an unlawful assembly. Police provided additional announcements over the loudspeaker and on social media to disperse. Police then moved in and dispersed the crowd.

The Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue are actively investigating this alarming criminal activity that put an entire neighborhood at risk. This is the fourth night in the past week Commissioner Ryan has had agitators cause both vandalism and disruption to his home and neighborhood.

At about 9 p.m., police attempted to stop a vehicle related to the demonstration near N. Rosa Parks Way and N. Campbell Avenue, but it did not stop. Oregon State Police troopers located the Honda SUV stopped in a parking lot several blocks away. The driver, Bryan Ortega-Schwartz, 36, was arrested for elude and reckless driving.

Some individuals reconvened near the Portland Police Association office near N. Lombard Street & N. Campbell Avenue. Others remained in the neighborhood blocking streets, where police made an additional arrest.

Police continued patrolling the neighborhood. Slowly, people in the crowd drifted back toward Arbor Lodge Park and eventually dispersed.

At about 10:00 p.m., Portland Fire and Rescue responded to City Hall on a report of doors on fire. On site security extinguished the fire. A fire investigator is actively working the case. It’s believed a burning object was placed or thrown at the door, which caused the fire. Whoever started the fire remains outstanding.

The following people were arrested and booked at the Multnomah County Detention Center:

• Bryan Ortega-Schwartz, 36, charged with attempt to elude in a vehicle and reckless driving.
• Michael Kinney, 30, charged with interfering with a peace officer, resisting arrest and failure to display a license

The following individual was criminally cited:

• Daniel Supriyadi, 27, of Lake Oswego, charged with disorderly conduct in the second degree and interfering with a peace officer

If anyone has information, photos or videos of any criminal activity related to these events, contact the Portland Police Bureau at (503) 823-4357 or submit an anonymous tip online.

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During the evening of Wednesday, November 4, 2020, a group of protesters engaged in significant vandalism and violence in Downtown Portland. Joint incident commanders declared the gathering a riot around 7 p.m. Among the locations that suffered property damage was St. Andre Bessette Church, located at 601 W. Burnside St. Vandals broke out several of the building’s glass windows and damaged the front doors.

On Thursday, November 5, 2020, a church leader filed a report with Portland’s Central Precinct Neighborhood Response Team (NRT). The church leader told officers because of the damage, the church was forced to close its shelter and halt homeless services for the foreseeable future. The church said they could not safely open or close the building’s doors. St. Andre Bessette Church serves several hundred people a day, providing shelter, meals and other services to homeless individuals.

“Last night’s criminal activity targeting the Downtown Portland neighborhood was reprehensible and impacts all Oregonians,” Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese said, speaking on behalf of the Unified Command. “The loss of shelter beds due to violence and vandalism comes at a time when we desperately need safe space for vulnerable individuals to seek refuge from a pandemic and colder, rainier weather. This hurts the community’s efforts to get people off the streets and connected to the crucial resources they need.”

If you have any information about this crime, contact Portland’s Central Precinct Neighborhood Response Team at sen@portlandoregon.gov">Matthew.Jacobsen@portlandoregon.gov. ###

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Twelve people were arrested for various crimes during a riot on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 in Downtown Portland. The following are those booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center:

• Wyatt Dylan Scully, 19, from Portland, charged with Trespass II
• Tanner Nokoa Alcorn, 29, from Portland, charged with Trespass II
• Jason Mercury Tyler, 22, from Beaverton, charged with Trespass II
• Jarrod Deferrari, 23, from Sunrise, Florida, charged with Riot, Disorderly Conduct I, Criminal Mischief I, Sale/Possession of Fireworks, Burglary II, Attempt Arson II
• Leslie Johnson, 25, charged with Trespass II
• Ian Wyatt Harrington, 25, from Portland, charged with Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct II
• James Christopher Saraceno, 49, from Portland, charged with Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct II, Reckless Burning, Riot
• Michael Tyler Ream, 38, from Portland, charged with Resisting Arrest, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Disorderly Conduct II
• Ashley Schofield, 36, from Portland, charged with Interfering with a Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest, Harassment
• William Kahl Beecher, 23, from Oregon City, charged with Possession of Loaded Firearm, Riot, Disorderly Conduct II
• Sherlock Ortiz, 23, from Portland, charged with Criminal Mischief I
• Wesley C. Fant, 29, from Portland, charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

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In the afternoon on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, two groups met in separate locations, then marched on streets through Portland.

One group gathered in the North Park Blocks. Police deployed Demonstration Liaison Officers (DLO) to connect with people in the group. The group was not interested in having a conversation with those DLOs. At about 5:30 p.m., a few hundred people left the park and began walking through downtown Portland. Several blocks later, some individuals in the group committed acts of vandalism, breaking windows and applying graffiti.

Around the same time, another group gathered at Revolution Hall in Southeast Portland. The group of about 100 people walked over the Morrison Bridge, briefly causing traffic to back up along Southeast Grand Avenue and southbound Interstate 5.

Around 6 p.m., both groups occupied SW Naito Parkway. The groups used vehicles to block traffic and gathered in front of Portland Fire & Rescue Station One. Emergency calls had to be dispatched to other engines and stations. The group that started at Revolution Hall moved into Tom McCall Waterfront Park for speeches. This group managed their event safely and left later without incident.

At 6:40 p.m., Unified Command declared a separate gathering near the Skidmore Fountain, an unlawful assembly. The sound truck provided multiple announcement for people not to damage property or participate in other criminal activities, and that such actions could result in arrests or the use of force to include the use of munitions and CS gas.

Shortly after, a group of about 100 people began walking from the Skidmore Fountain through Downtown Portland, along West Burnside Street, breaking out windows as they moved. As police responded and ordered people to leave, individuals continued leaving a trail of damage. The ongoing criminal activity by such a large group of people created a significant risk to public safety. Unified Command declared the gathering a riot and gave repeated loudspeaker announcements that the crowd was directed to stop their criminal activity and leave. Those announcements were repeated at least five times over loudspeakers near the crowd.

People began throwing projectiles, including a firework, at police officers; (this was initially reported as a Molotov cocktail. After further investigation, it was determined to be a firework). Individuals broke out dozens of windows to businesses and damaged other private property downtown. Police officers identified the suspect who threw the firework and sheriff’s deputies arrested him nearby. The man is identified as William K. Beecher, 23, was armed with a loaded rifle and was in possession of several loaded magazines, a knife and other fireworks (photos). Beecher was also wearing a ballistics vest.

In the interest of public safety, Governor Kate Brown, under advice of the Unified Command, activated the use of the Oregon National Guard to assist officers in responding to acts of violence, and to maintain public order and ensure community safety.

Law enforcement officers and members of the Oregon National Guard assisted in crowd management, clearing space for business owners to safely board up their properties. For about 90 minutes, police moved through Downtown Portland performing high visibility patrols, preventing further crime.

Police eventually disengaged from the crowds and announced that the crowd activity no longer constituted a riot. The large group broke into many smaller groups, which wandered around downtown.

At about 9:00 p.m., people started to gather in Lownsdale and Chapman Square Parks, near Southwest 3rd Ave. and SW Main St. They blocked SW Main St. and lit a small bonfire.

An hour later, about 100 people left and began walking north. Police responded to prevent the group from reaching W. Burnside Street where they had damaged property earlier in the evening. Police provided announcements over a loudspeaker that the group was not to cross W. Burnside Street and that people who engage in criminal acts are subject to arrest and/or the use of force including munitions and CS gas.

This announcement was met with aggressive actions by participants. Individuals again threw glass bottles at police and blocked vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Police announced to the crowd that the assembly was unlawful and needed to disperse.

At about 10:30 p.m., police dispersed the crowd for a few minutes, then disengaged. The group continued to move through downtown and damaged some additional property. Police again gave repeated announcements encouraging the crowd to stop committing crimes and to disperse.

Police moved people west through Downtown Portland to Interstate 405, then at about 11:00 p.m., disengaged from the crowd, to give people the opportunity to return to lawful behavior. Despite the efforts to deescalate, the marchers continued with the same pattern for a couple of hours.

At about 11:15 p.m., Oregon State Police troopers stopped a vehicle without license plates that was interfering with traffic. They discovered the driver had a handgun and arrested him. Wesley C. Fant was booked on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm (photo).

The group mostly dispersed by 1:30 a.m.

At least 10 people were arrested. Officers recovered multiple firearms, ammunition, a knife, commercial and consumer grade fireworks, body armor and gas masks from arrested individuals, among other items. Details of those arrests will be provided at a later time.

There were no reported injuries. No CS gas was used. ###

On November 3, 2020, several hundred people gathered Revolution Hall near SE 12th Ave. & Stark St. starting around 5 p.m. About two hours later, the crowd left Revolution Hall and walked through Southeast Portland’s Buckman and Sunnyside neighborhoods for more than three hours. The group returned to Revolution Hall by 11 p.m.

None of the agencies under Unified Command- Oregon State Police, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and Portland Police Bureau- interacted with the march.

Unified Command will continue to monitor any events overnight and share public safety information on agency Twitter accounts, @MultCoSO, @ORStatePolice, @PortlandPolice and @PoliciaPortland. ###