Comment of the Week: Police slow down, staff shortage both to blame for enforcement woes
Wave of retirements was foreseeable
Enforcement
In letter to DA, lawyer demands stronger punishment for dangerous drivers
Too many drivers face zero consequences for very dangerous behaviors.
A 17 mph cushion for speeding in the Central City
The more people speed, the fewer of them get caught.
Portland Police say they will bring back Traffic Division
The move comes two and-a-half years after the division was dissolved.
Traffic cameras coming to 82nd, Powell — and a lot more places — by the end of this year
It’s the most candid and detailed assessment yet of past problems and what to expect in the future
Police, TriMet team up for enforcement action on SE 122nd Avenue
A multi-agency effort netted 15 arrests, including gun and drug seizures in just four hours last Thursday, September 8th. The location is likely familiar to many of you: the busy intersection of SE 122nd and Burnside, where a light rail line, bike lanes, and many other traffic lanes come together. Statistically, this intersection is a … Read more
Mt. Scott-Arleta residents celebrate vibrant plaza on formerly violent street
“This slip lane was being used for drive-bys and a lot of violent activities.” – Nadine Salama, resident It’s rare that a sitting Portland city commissioner will dance at a public event. Rarer still when it’s in the middle of what used to be a street known for regular shootings and traffic-related violence. But that’s … Read more
County Sheriff Mike Reese calls for more traffic enforcement to stem tide of violence
“I would hope [the Portland Police Bureau] would reconstitute their traffic division and focus those resources in high crash corridors.”— Mike Reese, Multnomah County Sheriff
Non-police traffic camera bill passes Oregon Senate committee
A high priority bill for the Portland Bureau of Transportation has taken another step forward in the Oregon Legislature. House Bill 4105 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday by a vote of 4 to 3. It passed the Oregon House last week. The bill would give cities the authority to take oversight of automated … Read more
Bill would allow non-police agent to review traffic camera citations
A new bill in the Oregon Legislature would remove a major barrier to the use of automated photo radar cameras. Current Oregon law requires that every citation issued by a fixed speed camera must be reviewed by a sworn police officer. While well-intentioned, this statute has led to delays in citation processing, higher personnel costs … Read more