The Portland Police Bureau released their Annual Traffic Activity Summary yesterday. The report details all the traffic violations and expenditures for 2006.
Among the stats was a page devoted to “Non-permitted Protest, Demonstration, Critical Mass”. It’s important to note not only how they categorize their presence at Critical Mass, but the amount of officers and cost to the city.
In 2006, the Bureau devoted the following resources to Critical Mass:
- 225 total officers (an average of 20 officers per month)
- 417 regular hours
- 128 overtime hours
- $20,083 in total costs
Download this page of the report here (18 KB, GIF).
Acting Commander of the Traffic Division Mark Kruger told me on the phone this morning that the Bureau spent $23,602 patrolling Critical Mass in 2005.
As reporter earlier this month, the Traffic Division recently ceded their responsibility of Critical Mass to Southeast Precinct. In recent months, due to only a few riders showing up, the Police have not patrolled the ride at all.
As an alternative to Critical Mass, riders have started the People’s Ride. According to organizers, it’s a “mellow, family-friendly, ride that winds through a number of inner Southeast neighborhoods.” The ride meets on the last Friday of every month (that’s tomorrow!) at 5:45 in front of Palio’s (1996 SE Ladd) on Ladds Circle.