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Oregon Troopers Leaving Portland
Yes, the siege of the Hatfield Federal Courthouse has lasted for over 70 straight days, leaving only the question, is it because the civil authorities are incompetent or corrupt? From Zachary Stieber in the Epoch Times:
Oregon State Police troopers are leaving Portland despite continued violence in the state’s largest city.
Troopers were helping quell the unrest that has consumed portions of the city since May 28.
Capt. Timothy Fox, a state police spokesman, told The Epoch Times that the decision stemmed from the district attorney overseeing Portland deciding not to pursue some criminal charges.
“The Oregon State Police is continually reassessing our resources and the needs of our partner agencies and, at this time, we are inclined to move those resources back to counties where prosecution of criminal conduct is still a priority,” Fox said in an emailed statement late Thursday.
The state police had also fulfilled their commitment to a two week stint that ended on Aug. 12, he added.
“Troopers are returning to the communities that they are assigned to serve and protect. We will continually assess our resources if our partners at PPB need OSP assistance,” he said.
The violence has not subsided, as Steiber previously reported in the Epoch Times the DA is not pursuing charges because:
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt claimed the unusual move would lead to a safer community.
Speaking at a press conference, Schmidt said he acknowledges the emotions of those involved in nightly demonstrations, many of which have turned violent.
“These demonstrations are being used to righteously express grief, anger, and frustration over that senseless act of violence, and the countless other abuses people of color have endured throughout history at the hands of the legal system,” he told reporters.
Schmidt said he wants to be responsive to demands from the demonstrators and the new policy on handling protest-related cases is just the start.
Escape in the third degree, harassment, and riot will also not be prosecuted under the policy.
County DA Schmidt may soon be tutored by US AG Barr if not the National Guard. In the meantime we have these little reminders that elections matter. Isn’t there another Blue DA in the news with creative approaches to law enforcement?
Incompetent or corrupt?
Published in Policing
Maybe. Unless George Soros has had anything to do with his selection . . .
At what point can the feds simply state that Portland is in a state of insurrection? Can the mayor or the DA be prosecuted for neglect of duty?
Barr has mentioned possible civil rights charges against delinquent office holders. I have no idea how that would play out but Andrew McCarthy or John Woo might have an idea or two.
How should the people suffering the results of your lack of action “righteously express grief, anger, and frustration,” Mr. Schmidt? Do you have any suggestions?
Yes.
Isn’t it a state-level crime to assault a state trooper? That would put the choice into the hands of the AG.
Pull the court out and set it up in Medford. Let the commies burn down the Portland building. Then fence it off and leave it standing like Thatcher did the Iranian Embassy.
These are the people that Portland voted in. Pull all outside resources and let it burn. Let it burn and hurt until the people have learned how life works. After it is over then maybe pick up the pieces but not with federal money.
Tempting, but too many people don’t have the means to just pull up and leave their homes and start over. I mean, it works for rich people (who are fleeing New York City at an astounding rate), but the working class likely can’t just drop everything and light out for the territories.
So no, . . . tempting as it is, it’s important that this be fixed. And I guess that means mass arrests, incarcerations, and punishment for these antifa brats. I know our military has developed a lot of ways to subdue rioting masses without killing, such as a Long Range Acoustic Device, which can cause rioters to literally poop themselves.* I’ve also seen it suggested that liquid manure spreaders be used. I think all options like this should be considered. Until the killing becomes necessary.
* Coincidentally, the ACLU came out against their use just after the riots started. I wonder if the ACLU cares about the civil liberties of non-rioters?
I have to admit I’m more along the lines of Fake John’s thinking. Those people created this mess they can deal with it. I don’t care. I’m not saying I am right about this but it’s my gut reaction.
Maybe Trump should just move the courts and federal offices out of Portland. That is probably unlikely because (a) it would look like surrender and (b) the politics of permanently moving a federal courthouse are incredibly intense–Senators and reps will drop all other issues to fight over the location of any federal facility and the jobs and spending it generates. Federal courthouses also give a town an imprimatur of importance. So maybe a temporary move.
It is clear that the elected officials in Portland will not prosecute the criminals who have already injured federal officers so it is not reasonable to put federal agents or troops in a Fort Apache situation and ask them to take such personal risks.
The majority of the people of Portland have apparently decided that they are obligated to surrender to the mob. If there is a defensible border near Portland that can be established on behalf of people who will empower law enforcement to arrest, prosecute and punish, then state and federal support is warranted. Otherwise… bye, bye.
The federal government has many of the protesters in custody and is bringing charges. From assaulting a federal officer to attempting the destruction of a federal building, there is no problem finding and bringing federal charges for the siege of Hatfield. But that does not solve the broader problem of residents and businesses impacted by the rioting.
They do not need to move. All they need to do is change. I am all for helping them out if they want it. They do not want it. Have slapped away any help and demonized anybody that wishes to assist. This is a Democracy / Republic. Their vote matter, just as mine. This is the path they have REPEATEDLY chosen, over and over and over. Let them live it. I think the path they have chosen is foolish, who are we to stop them?
About you whole rich vs poor thing. Portland did not happen because the rich voted this, there are more poor people than rich people, so in a Democracy the people in political power are voted in by the poor. This is what they want. No police and riots and homelessness.
I am with you two. There is no telling them otherwise how dangerous the Dems, lefties, and socialism, and even Marxism is. They think we are evil. Sometimes the best education happens in the laboratory, not the classroom.
re Drew’s comment. Yes, many poor don’t have the money to relocate but I don’t care. Many vote Dem so my sympathies lie with those who didn’t vote for this, rich or poor, and will suffer or have to move because of it. Voting is a serious act and it requires serious thought. By making the voting age younger and promoting the idea that all should vote, no matter the education and financial level, we have created elections where too many people with no knowledge of history, government, and economics turn to the Santa Claus candidates who promise them goodies, from rewards for voting that day or rewards once the Dem is in office. So again, best learning comes in the laboratory.
re the federal court. Move it to a place that will defend it. If Congress blocks, don’t reopen the court until Portland fixes or replaces the building.
One reason for federalism Is for each state to serve as a laboratory to see what does and doesn’t work. I am all for letting Portland do its duty and fulfill its role.
And of course the Democrats and the Press (same difference) are going to paint any attempt by the federal government to stop the insurrection as Trump sending in the Stasi. And the sheep will believe it. They’re already doing it with their stupid talk of secret police and unmarked vans.
So really, nothing can be fixed until we start finding a means of utterly destroying the mainstream media.
They need to cut their losses and leave. Problem solved.
But where will the feds try them? In a courthouse under siege? Will the jury pool consist of extras from Portlandia or feel intimidated by the mob occupation forces?
I doubt there are any protesters that will get anything but a resume booster off this. If they find a few Trump types those will get made an example of if they are Democrats they will get a time served, fine waved verdict.
I’m inclined to agree but there is one problem. Once Portland bursts, it will spread its progressive contagion to other regions. The NY Post interviewed several people leaving the Upper West Side of NY due to homelessness and violence. The Post never asked whether these individuals voted for de Blasio not just once but twice. I strongly suspect they did and therefore they are complicit in everything that has come to pass. Voting in a de Blasio once? OK-we can all be fooled. But twice-when the writing was on the wall-that’s criminally stupid. If the woke individuals had any working brain cells, they would move away and become bedrock conservatives or at least dial back to traditional Democrat. But we know they won’t.
Move the Federal Courthouse?!? How is that done? You can’t pick it up and carry it somewhere else. It’s probably a $200 million building. The suggestion of just walking away and leaving it to be destroyed is unfathomable to me. And, yes, it would be surrendering, and thus, encouraging more of the same mayhem and chaos. The Oregan State police are leaving, according to this article, because the city prosecutor refuses to charge the violators. The State Cops said under these circumstances there is nothing they can do to help. The Feds, however, have their own prosecutors.
Then who will report on the “mostly peaceful” protests????
Could the feds not send a 200 million dollar bill to Portland for destruction of federal property?
Just shut them down. They don’t want the feds then they don’t get feds. No move. If they get destroyed then that is Portland’s responsibility to pay. As for the activity from that area. Sorry Charlie. Direct those issue to the mayor. He is actively supporting this. Make it his problem.
Move them all to a nice Red state where they can get real justice.
More reason to shutdown the court house and move their trials elsewhere.
One thought. The failure of Portland is not a federal problem. It is a state issue. Oregon has the authority to do something about Portland. That they do not says all that needs to be said.
I agree – it seems like the rational thing to do.
Still, as the zombie hoard, now unrestrained, sweeps over city, destroying all, the DA will go down blaming the feckless police, and his dying cry as he goes under will of course be “Truuuuuump!”
Because Lefties are psychologically incapable of ever – ever – acknowledging responsibility for anything they do.
Can we get a list of the things that we are ‘allowed’ to righteously express grief, anger, and frustration at and not be held accountable for?
Cause I’m starting to feel all of those about a lot of things.
Yes, I was one of the ones who suggested it. Still waiting for that convoy from Iowa to show up in Portland.
Antifa/BLM: Revolution NOW!
U.S.: Eat s***!
Beware the righteous.
It’s an earthy proposition.