As dusk fell over Portland’s South Waterfront on Tuesday, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) was on alert, not for confrontation but for observation. The PPB had their Incident Command Team on deck, managed by a Crowd Management Incident Commander and supported by Dialogue Liaison Officers (DLOs), Rapid Response Team, Air Support Unit, and a PPB Sound Truck, as reported by the Portland government’s official site.
The officers on duty, identified by their white uniform shirts, had a clear directive—facilitate communication rather than enforcement. According to the Portland official website, no incidents occurred that necessitated police interdiction and, consequently, no arrests were made. The total count of arrests related to prior protests in the area, however, stands at 50, indicating a history of more agitated engagements.
The PPB’s stance on immigration enforcement is also clear. They are distanced from such federal matters, as they’ve outlined in Directive 810.10. Public safety remains at the fore, with state law enforcement within their purview. “PPB does not engage in immigration enforcement,” as stated in the Portland official website, assuring the community of where its responsibilities lie. More details on the PPB’s policy on immigration can be reviewed through Chief Day’s letter, available for public viewing…