MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OR -- Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O'Donnell has released the following statement: As Sheriff, my priority is to hold people who violate the law accountable and meet the public safety expectations of the community. As the elected official charged with managing the jail, I believe we need to utilize the corrections system as a place for people who pose a genuine danger to the public, and that does not include individuals whose only offense is living unsheltered.
Arresting and booking our way out of the housing crisis is not a constructive solution. Incarceration is a costly, short-term measure that fails to address the complex underlying issues. We need to continue to focus on creating pathways out of homelessness through evidence-based, sustainable solutions that enhance public safety for all residents.
Accountability for individuals violating city ordinances is in place. In any instance in which a person is subject to arrest for a city ordinance, any law enforcement officer may, in lieu of taking the person into custody, issue a criminal citation to the person to appear in court. This is the case for all cities in Multnomah County. Multnomah County Courts can best speak to what the process looks like for an individual who has violated a city ordinance in the court system.
The Portland Police Bureau’s policy specifically directs its officers in 0870.30 that "Members will only present to the Multnomah County Detention Center Intake (MCDC) those suspects determined to be bookable by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO)."
In August 2023, I directed the Sheriff’s Office via a Special Order to book any person arrested in Multnomah County into jail for any felony or misdemeanor offense codified in the Oregon Revised Statutes. This does not include city ordinances. PPB’s own policy defines "bookable offense" as "any criminal act listed on the current Multnomah County Sheriff’s Special Order of charges acceptable for booking allowing for the presentation of an offender for processing within MCDC”.
The Sheriff’s Office did not receive any request or communication from the Portland Police Bureau or City of Portland about adding the Public Camping Ordinance to its booking criteria prior to the city enforcing the ordinance. Our communications with the Mayor’s office pertaining to the Public Camping Ordinance began in Spring 2023 and clearly outlined city ordinance violations as not bookable and being eligible for citations only.
I will not be directing the Sheriff’s Office to book any individual on city ordinance violations.
Law enforcement alone cannot solve the problems plaguing our community. Addressing these issues is a shared responsibility and requires collaboration across all levels of government and community organizations. We must work together to develop comprehensive, evidence-based solutions.
