News Release from Multnomah Co. Sheriff’s Office
Posted on FlashAlert: November 2nd, 2020 3:30 PM
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Portland Police Bureau (PPB) and Oregon State Police (OSP) are dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure elections process. Law enforcement agencies are working with the Multnomah County Elections Office to ensure voters feel welcome and official ballot drop sites are accessible for all. As a reminder, voters must turn in their ballots at a designated ballot drop site by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
In the past, we have seen people gather and march on election night. We strongly support the right to demonstrate and for people to use their individual and collective voices to express grief, joy, outrage or calls for action. However, voter intimidation, disruption, blocking access to ballot drop sites, or vandalism and destruction of property near or at ballot drop sites will not be tolerated at any time before, on or after Election Day. Any reported acts of intimidation, interference or threats towards voters will be investigated. Vandalism, crime or property damage do not change an outcome of the election and only hurt communities.
Under Governor Kate Brown’s executive order, all law enforcement across Multnomah County will operate under a unified command structure. This type of structure allows agencies to respond to crowd management situations and emergencies with immediacy and consistency, ensuring resources from a number of agencies across the county are readily available and allows agencies to communicate and coordinate more effectively.
Police will maintain a highly visible presence to ensure public safety. Our goal is to keep the peace, and we encourage those who gather, to do so peacefully.
Are there any planned demonstrations?
We are aware of a number of planned demonstrations this week and are closely monitoring the events because in the past some have led to criminal activity. For all events this week, regardless of political affiliation, our message is clear, do not engage in criminal conduct. For people who attend the events, leave your weapons behind. Violence is not welcome in Oregon. Racism is not welcome in Oregon. Hate and division are not welcome in Oregon.
At this time, there are no identified threats to election security in Multnomah County.
How will information be shared to mass gatherings and journalists?
Messaging will be shared through two main platforms. 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 need to relay an important message or intervene following criminal activity, messages are delivered by the sound truck. Listen and obey directions provided by officers.
Law enforcement will also share pertinent information, including sound truck messaging, on Twitter during any mass gatherings that require a police presence.
Follow on Twitter:
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office: @MultCoSO
Portland Police Bureau: @PortlandPolice
Oregon State Police: @ORStatePolice
Demonstration liaison teams are available.
We remind the public that the PPB’s 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. Liaison Teams are available to assist event organizers in planning a safe event for participants, Portland community members and businesses. Liaison Officers may be contacted at: [email protected]
How do I report criminal activity?
If you see something, we encourage you to say something.
- If you fear imminent violence or witness a crime, call 9-1-1.
- If it is not an emergency, notify an official elections office representative.
- Make sure to document what you saw or experienced: what happened, where and when.
Anyone with information about criminal behavior being planned for election disruption or civil unrest or observes criminal behavior during this event or learns of it after an event, is asked to share it by email to [email protected].
###