PORTLAND, OR — Portland police say a shortage of patrol officers helped delay their response by as much as 30 to 40 minutes after an alleged attempted kidnapping at Tom McCall Waterfront Park over the weekend. The child’s family and bystanders intervened before officers arrived.
Newly released bureau data shows how often patrol staffing is stretched thin across the city, with officials saying multiple emergencies can quickly pull available officers away from new 911 calls.
Bystanders pulled the suspect away before officers arrived
Police said the incident began shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday when 911 callers reported a naked man running through the downtown park and, in one report, trying to punch someone. About 12 minutes later, another caller said the man had grabbed a 7-year-old girl and tried to pull her away from her mother.
Investigators said the girl’s father and several bystanders stepped in, punching, slapping and pulling the suspect away. One witness used pepper spray to stop him, according to police. Officers later arrested 31-year-old Daniel Vasey after finding him swimming in the nearby Willamette River…