Following a brazen assault and robbery on the Springwater Corridor path last week, Portland Parks & Recreation will step up bike patrols.
Retiree Jay Hamlin was biking on the path in east Portland on Thursday when two men pushed him into blackberry bushes. The assailants then pulled him through the thorn-filled plants in order to pry his bike away from his body. They ultimately rode off with the bike and disappeared into a nearby residential area while Hamlin writhed in pain from his cuts and bruises.
We asked Parks Commissioner Nick Fish if he was aware of the incident and whether or not he had a plan to address it. We just heard back from his office that he has directed Portland Parks Rangers to increase bike patrols along the trail. The bike patrols, “Will allow [rangers] to cover more ground and access off-trail areas,” his office said.
Advertisement
Commissioner Fish also commented on the incident:
“The recent assault of a biker on the Springwater trail is unacceptable. Everyone who uses the trail should feel safe. I have directed the Portland Park Rangers to increase bike patrols on the trail and to coordinate with their partners at the Portland Police Bureau.”
Portland Parks Rangers are unarmed, non-sworn officials who have authority only to enforce park rules and issue park exclusions. They can of course contact a Portland Police officer if the situation warrants it.
Commissioner Fish’s Policy and Communications Advisory Everett Wild tells us the increased patrols should start “soon”.
In related news, Jay Hamlin has obtained video of one of his assailants (below). In the video, which is already in the hands of the Portland Police, a man can be seen riding Hamlin’s bike on a sidewalk in southeast Portland. Hamlin has positively identified the man in the video as one of his attackers.
If you have any information on this incident or the whereabouts of the man in the video, please call Portland Police East Precinct at (503) 823-4800 and reference case # 19-233489.
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
Never miss a story. Sign-up for the daily BP Headlines email.
BikePortland needs your support.