Sheriffs in two Oregon counties announced Monday that they would not send their deputies to Portland after Oregon Democratic Gov. Kate Brown announced a temporary plan to use deputies from other counties, along with the Oregon state troopers, to help get a handle on things in the city.
Brown said out-of-county officers would be used to help quell the nightly violence, according to Fox12 Oregon. She specifically called on the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Gresham Police Department to help contain the unrest.
“This is routine mutual aid agreements that have happened over the years, possibly decades in this region. And we think that it’s really important at this point in time for the region to come together and help end the violence in the streets of Portland,” she said.
Brown said the plan has been a work in progress.
“We had been working on this plan for a number of days. I had reached out to a number of local elected officials, but this is a comprehensive, unified law enforcement approach.”
But Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts released a statement Monday saying he was not made aware of Brown’s plans, according to Fox12 Oregon’s Kellee Azar.
“I was surprised to read that the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office was part of the plan since the Governor’s Office never contacted me.”
“Had Governor Brown discussed her plan with my office, I would have told her it’s about changing policy, not adding resources. Increasing resources in Portland will not solve the nightly violence and now, murder. The only way to make Portland safe again, is to support a policy that holds offenders accountable for their destruction and violence,” he said.
Roberts said the Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt needs to reconsider his recent policy change that no longer prosecutes protesters who are charged with disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, harassment or interfering with police officers. Roberts said the same offenders are released over and over since they face no repercussions. (RELATED: Democrats And Their Media Organs Finally Admit The Riots Are Violent)
“Had Governor Brown asked me, I would have told her that no amount of Human Resources will stop the ‘cycle of violence’ (her term) that is making Portland unsafe. For that to occur, the criminal justice system will need to do its part and hold offenders accountable,” he said.
Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett also released a statement rejecting Brown’s plan.
“I do not plan to send deputies to work directly in Portland. PPB is a terrific partner and I am very sympathetic to what they are enduring. However, the lack of political support for public safety, the uncertain legal landscape, the current volatility combined with intense scrutiny on use of force presents an unacceptable risk if deputies were deployed directly,” his statement read.
PORTLAND, OR – AUGUST 30: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image contains profanity) A protester gestures toward Portland police during a march against police brutality and racial injustice on August 30, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. City leaders asked for calm and time to conduct an investigation after a man was shot and killed near a pro-Trump rally on Saturday. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
Both sheriffs’ refusal comes after one preson was shot and killed Saturday night. Portland Police released a statement Tuesday morning detailing Monday night’s crime wave, which included rioters throwing paint balloons and rocks at officers and setting fires. Portland police arrested 19 people.
However, Portland police drew criticism for allegedly letting the situation get out of control.
“In Portland, law enforcement has regularly failed to keep our city’s streets safe,” said Eric Ward, executive director of the nonprofit Western States Center, according to the Associated Press.