The Portland Police Bureau and its partners held a news conference Wednesday to call for those wanting to exercise their First Amendment rights in relation to Inauguration Day to do so peacefully.
There are no identified threats related to Inauguration Day or events following Inauguration Day in Portland; however, the Unified Command, which includes PPB, Portland Emergency Management and Portland Fire and Rescue, is preparing and coordinating with its local and federal partners to increase public safety during this time.
PPB will be staffed appropriately on Inauguration Day and the days surrounding it as a precaution. While we promote and support the exercise of the First Amendment rights to assemble and engage in free speech, engagement in criminal activity will not be tolerated. Unified Command will monitor any events. Individuals who engage in violent activity or property destruction will be investigated and are subject to arrest and prosecution. That does not always happen in the moment. PPB members will continue to conduct follow-up investigations, make arrests, and forward cases to the Multnomah County District Attorney for prosecution. Just because arrests are not made at the scene, when tensions are high, that does not mean that people are not being charged with crimes later.
Examples of criminal behavior that will not be tolerated include but are not limited to:
- Impeding transportation by blocking streets and vehicular traffic. Pedestrians on or blocking freeways or major thoroughfares is extremely dangerous and poses a life safety risk.
- Lighting fires and burning materials
- Vandalizing and damaging property
- Assaultive behavior
- Unlawful weapons possession and/or use
The City of Portland has a long history of civic involvement and gatherings. The vast majority do not require any police presence. We remind the public that the Portland Police Bureau's Event Liaison teams want to work with all event organizers to establish an environment where community members may safely practice their First Amendment Rights of speech and assembly. The Event Liaison Teams are available to assist event organizers in planning a safe event for participants, Portland community members, and businesses. Event Liaison Officers may be contacted at: ppbliaison@police.portlandoregon.gov
During mass gatherings, PPB uses a truck equipped with a loudspeaker to provide public address announcements. This truck is sometimes referred to as the sound truck. If police have to intervene in criminal activity in a crowd, please listen to and obey directions provided by police officers or sound truck announcements. Those who do not obey the directions given are subject to arrest. Sound truck messages are also co-broadcast on our X feed at https://x.com/PPBAlerts . Other timely public safety information will also be posted there. Unified Command will disseminate news releases through the Portland Police Bureau, and they can be found at https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/
For relevant laws, tips and resources, please see PPB's public order page: https://www.portland.gov/police/community/public-order
Here are some tips to consider to increase safety and stay informed:
- Businesses should proactively remove sandwich boards, furniture, and construction materials. Secure dumpsters outside of your business prior to events so these objects cannot be used as projectiles, barricades or fuel for fires. For more information on how to prepare, receive alerts and learn about resources, sign up at https://www.readypdx.org/
- Report criminal activity through 9-1-1 if it is an emergency situation or through non-emergency dispatch at (503) 823-3333. Check security footage for criminal activity that could help PPB investigators if an incident occurs and report that as well.
- Be aware that in the event of a significant incident, police service may be delayed. Do not let this deter you from calling 9-1-1 to report an emergency life safety situation but consider there are limited resources even though additional resources will be assigned.
- Prior mass gatherings have resulted in traffic and public transportation disruptions and delays. These events are dynamic and it may be necessary to close streets for the public’s safety during an event. TriMet may adjust service if an area becomes unsafe, blocked or is closed. TriMet riders should check ahead of time to see if their bus or MAX line is detoured or disrupted: https://trimet.org/home/#/alerts Users of the Portland Streetcar should check: https://portlandstreetcar.org
- Be aware that per Portland City Code, it is unlawful to carry a loaded firearm in public unless you have a valid Oregon concealed handgun license or as specified in the code. See https://www.portlandoregon.gov/citycode/article/332592
Oregon has NO concealed handgun license reciprocity with any other state, and it is a crime to carry a concealed handgun in Oregon unless you have and present for inspection a valid OREGON concealed handgun license (Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 166.250 and ORS 166.291: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors166.html
The City of Portland has specific conduct rules and laws that apply to parks: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/citycode/?c=28627 including a specific prohibition on the possession of weapons in parks: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/citycode/article/641629
Source: Portland Police