An ongoing effort to address drug distribution in various areas in Downtown and Old Town Portland has led to arrests and the seizure of drugs, money, and guns. The latest effort has focused on an area that has seen an increase in drug transactions and related livability concerns such as drug related refuse.
On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the Portland Police Central Precinct Bike Squad conducted a mission in the area of Southwest 13th Avenue and Southwest Yamhill Street. During the mission, officers made eight arrests. Of those two were eligible for and accepted deflection.
Officers seized:
-64.5g of fentanyl
-$2395 cash
-3 firearms
For more photos and videos, please follow @ppbcentralbikesquad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppbcentralbikesquad/
This is not a new effort. PPB has been focused on illicit drug markets area for months, and has done multiple missions that include extra resources.
The challenges in this area stem from broader systemic issues, including insufficient addiction services, an oversupply of fentanyl linked to international trafficking organizations, and the displacement effects from enforcement efforts in Old Town and Goose Hollow neighborhoods.
Here are some of the efforts underway to address concerns by PPB and our community:
1. Targeted Enforcement Missions: Weekly missions by our bike teams are disrupting distribution networks in this area.
2. Federal Prosecutions: As always, we continue to work with our federal partners to prosecute higher-level offenders involved in the drug trade, ensuring longer sentences and greater deterrence.
3. Pathway Center for Deflection: Since September 1, 2024, we’ve transported individuals who qualify for deflection to the Pathway Center, offering addiction services, supportive housing, and mental health care.
4. Increased Officer Presence: With improved staffing levels as a result of election preparedness, we redirected officers to this area during the first week in November, addressing livability concerns. During this time, 35 individuals were entered into deflection.
5. Increased Enforcement of Drug Crimes: Over the past three months, we have made 11 drug arrests and 6 warrant arrests within a four-block radius of Southwest 13th Avenue and Southeast Yamhill Street. During the same period in 2023, no arrests were made, as HB 4002 had not yet been implemented.
These measures are part of a focused, multi-faceted approach to restore safety and livability to this area.
Photo descriptions:
-Two officers arrest a suspect who has handcuffs behind his back in front of a medical clinic
-An officer holds a baggie containing fentanyl as other officers search a handcuffed suspect
-An officer escorts a handcuffed suspect to a black PPB patrol car with emergency lights flashing
-Seized US currency is stacked on a table, including 100’s, 20’s, 5’s, and 1’s
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