A new Oregon law is giving judges clearer authority to keep suspected members of organized burglary rings in jail before trial as targeted burglaries against Asian American business owners begin rising again.
The law comes after a wave of organized residential burglaries that targeted Asian American business owners across Oregon. While lawmakers say judges already had the authority to detain suspects who posed a flight risk or danger to the community, victims and advocates argue many suspects were still being released before trial.
Now, with new reports that the burglaries are resurging, lawmakers are already considering additional legislation that would increase penalties for crimes targeting specific communities…