The much larger, and in my opinion, more important story is why those of us who live in North Portland have been forced by the city's inaction to defend our property on our own. I live in a location near to where Mr. Flores-Haro lives and can't say I would do anything differently than he did, even after he was shot. I'd almost rather take a stray bullet at this point than live knowing criminals are helping themselves to the life we've tryed to scrap out for ourselves.

Property crime in North Portland has reached a level far beyond that of a livable city. It's constant car thefts, aggressive and repeated break ins, stealing of packages and mail off of front/back porches. Yet what are Portland police doing at 11 o'clock on a Thursday night? Speed trapping with three motorcycle cops on Greely.

It's no surprise it was three Washington County cops serving that warrant. No Portland Police officer I've come across while filing police reports not worth the paper they are printed on has the stones or sense of duty to go into New Columbia after nightfall. There's no law north of Lombard.

I thought all SWAT teams are well marked as police officers. How could you mistake one for a prowler? Especially as they (at leasst the ones I have seen) are carrying a lot of gear you wouldn't expect to see on a prowler. Or am I wrong in this?

I would assume they were trying to be quiet as they approached the house. SWAT teams don't typically announce themselves unless the cat is already out of the bag. And if they brought SWAT, they must have had reason to believe whoever they were serving was dangerous, so again, they're not going to come in with sirens and lights.

Not only that, but this fellow probably didn't get more than a step or two out of his door before the cops started firing.

The SERT team does not announce itself with bullhorns and flashing lights. When they came to my house 10+ yrs ago, they all hid, crouching in the bushes. The laser sights were my first clue.