Detail of map showing one of the paths through Delta Park near I-5. The City of Portland plans to start up a citizen bike patrol to work the paths around Delta Park and Interstate 5 in North Portland. According to an announcement for the upcoming training event that happens Tuesday (5/11), members of the new … Read more
Blake Sharkey Steve; arrested for hit and run and vehicular assault.(Photo: Clackamas Co. Sheriff’s Office) Given our recent discussion of police responses to vehicular assault, I thought this story from Clackamas (about 11 miles SE of downtown Portland) that just came over the wire was interesting. According to the Oregon State Police, at just before … Read more
Mounted Patrol Unit in action downtown.(Photos © J. Maus) Back in January, we reported that in order to save $585,000, the Portland Police bureau was considering a transfer of their horse-mounted units to bike patrol. The idea is to shut down the Mounted Patrol Unit (MPU) and redeploy four formerly horse-mounted officers to work bike … Read more
(Photo © J. Maus) The Portland Police Bureau issued 384 citations and 31 warnings for violation of Oregon’s new cell phone law during the month of January. The law, which makes it a primary offense (meaning cops do not need any other reason to pull you over) to hold a cell phone to your ear … Read more
Do you have to put your foot down?(Photo © J. Maus) This week’s “Ask BikePortland” comes from Daniel Knutson. Mr. Knutson, 52, wrote in to express his frustrations at getting a ticket from a Portland Police Officer a few months ago for doing a “track stand” at a stop light. On September 19th, Knutson says … Read more
Bike Patrol in action on SE Hawthorne.(Photo © J. Maus) The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) could save $585,000 per year if they were to make good on a proposal to dismantle their Mounted Patrol Unit and transfer four officers to downtown bike detail. The savings would come from reducing the number of employees from seven … Read more
Despite appearances, that bike lane continues through the intersection.(Photo © J. Maus) We’ve got more reaction and analysis on the infamous disappearing bike lane decision. First, a quick review: Carmen Piekarski was right-hooked by a woman driving a car while biking through an intersection. Multnomah County Judge Pro Tem Michael Zusman ruled that the person … Read more
Notice of Exclusion written to Matt Cleinman for trespassing in Waterfront Park. – Larger version (90kb jpg) – At 4:30 am this morning, a Portland Police officer issued a Portland man a notice of exclusion and warning for trespassing because he was riding his bicycle through Waterfront Park while the park was closed. Matt Cleinman, … Read more
Portland’s Mounted Patrol Unit.(Photo: Police Bureau) The Portland Police Police Bureau, like all City bureaus, is facing another year of budget cuts. The PPB must reduce their budget for the coming year by 2% (other, non public safety bureaus have to cut 4%). One idea that has been proposed is to dissolve their Mounted Patrol … Read more
Today, the Portland City Council unanimously approved the Transportation Community Policing Agreement. At yesterday’s Council meeting, the four City Commissioners (Mayor Adams is away) heard testimony from traffic safety advocates and representatives from the Police Bureau and the Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). There was also a screening of the bicycle traffic enforcement training video released … Read more
(Photo © J. Maus) Tomorrow, the Community Policing Agreement that was first proposed by Police Chief Rosie Sizer following two high-profile fatalities in October of 2007, will be adopted by Portland City Council. The five page document outlines the current state of the working relationship between the Bureau of Transportation, the Police Bureau, the Bicycle … Read more
The Portland Police Bureau has just released a new internal training video meant to educate officers about bike-related traffic laws. This is an internal training video for the Portland Police Bureau. It is narrated by Officer Robert Pickett, who serves as a liaison for bicycling issues, Bicycle Transportation Alliance advocate Michelle Poyourow, and a team … Read more
Comment of the Week: The public health angle should matter more