Portland Police Bureau
05/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/01/2024 17:11
Portland Police Developing Response to Illegal Activity at PSU's Library
May 01, 2024 15:55
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) is actively collaborating with Portland State University (PSU) to address the illegal activities at the university's Millar Library. After a group of protesters departed from a peaceful First Amendment gathering and unlawfully entered the campus building on Monday, the PPB has been working in partnership with city leaders, other municipal bureaus, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, and Portland State University to ensure a safe resolution.
It is important to emphasize that a tremendous amount of work is being done in the background to find a resolution to this event. Among those efforts, PPB and PSU administration have made numerous attempts to begin a dialogue with the participants. So far, our efforts have not been successful.
The Portland Police Bureau places an emphasis on de-escalation, and time is a key de-escalation tactic that we use whenever possible. If police action can be delayed to a time when conditions are safer, we will do so. An example of this occurred on Tuesday evening. A plan was in place to resolve the library incident. However, conditions changed, and the Incident Commander made the decision to delay for the wellbeing of all concerned. PPB members pride themselves on being flexible and thoughtful in their approach to the important public safety work we do, and this decision is further evidence of that.
A rumor has circulated that the planned operation was scuttled due to a decision made by the District Attorney's office. That rumor is false. District Attorney Mike Schmidt and his team have offered their full support to PPB efforts to resolve the situation. Should arrests be made, we will continue to work with the DA's office to ensure cases are effectively investigated and prosecuted whenever possible and appropriate.
PPB has received and is concerned about the reports of serious damage to the library and the blocking of exits. We ask that people in the library keep exits clear and refrain from damaging safety infrastructure so that in the event of an emergency exits remain open and operable.
"Portland Police personnel swear an oath to protect constitutional first amendment rights and we are committed to ensuring safety for all Portlanders who exercise their lawful right to assemble and express themselves, but as a city we will not allow criminal behavior that disrupts our community," said Portland Police Chief Bob Day. "We will pursue all efforts at de-escalation, but make no mistake PPB will take appropriate action to do our part to hold individuals and groups accountable for their criminal conduct. I have the utmost faith that our PPB membership will continue to perform in the most professional manner."
This is a fluid situation, and PPB is grateful for the patience of our community, especially the Portland State University community, as we work toward a tempered, methodical, and professional resolution to this matter.
We urge those who genuinely support the cause to clearly reject the criminal, threatening, and destructive tactics used in the takeover of the library, which is distinct from the peaceful protest that preceded it and continues outside. Those who choose to remain and engage in these unlawful actions risk arrest and prosecution.
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