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c3Category — Criminal Justice & Policing
Posted inNews

Immigrant Rights Groups Allege Multnomah County Jail is Violating Sanctuary Laws

A lawsuit claims the US Marshals Service is using local jails to hold detainees for immigration enforcement.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

A group of immigrants rights organizations are suing Multnomah County, claiming the county and its sheriff’s office are violating Oregon’s sanctuary state law.  The suit, filed in circuit court earlier this month, claims that Multnomah County is unlawfully agreeing to hold individuals detained by the U.S. Marshals Service for violations of federal immigration law even […]

Posted inThe Black Byline

THE BLACK BYLINE: Top 10 Takeaways from 2025, A Wild Year in Portland

Naked Bike Ride reflections, police antics, Black innovation, and more!
Avatar photo Donovan Scribes (fka Donovan Smith)

Portland, in addition to being my hometown, is many things. “War-ravaged” is not one of them. 2025 brought us a slate of memorable, profound, troubling, and laugh-to-stop-from-crying moments: ramped up terrorism from ICE, groundbreaking reclamation efforts from Black Portland, and thousands of people bare-assing it to disarm the POTUS’ hot-takes about Portland. So what did […]

Posted inNews

Portland Police Officer Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges

Jimmy Pryce, a 27-year employee at Portland Police Bureau, faces a criminal trial in Clackamas County.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

A Portland Police Bureau officer is under investigation after he was arrested last month on domestic violence charges. Jimmy Pryce, 50, was arrested Saturday, November 29, in Clackamas County on charges of strangulation, fourth-degree assault, menacing, and harassment of a woman he lives with. He was off duty at the time.  Pryce, who covers PPB’s […]

Posted inNews

City Council Puts Financial Crackdown On Detention Facilities

Portland City Council approved a new fee to recoup costs associated with detention facilities, both for impacted Portlanders and for the city’s coffers.
Avatar photo Jeremiah Hayden

Amid increased police overtime costs and complaints about environmental contaminants related to a local immigration processing center, Portland City Council passed a new land use fee December 3, targeting the unique impacts posed by the presence of detention facilities in Portland. The ordinance was spurred by months of federal agents firing munitions, including tear gas, […]

Posted inNews

Oregon to Feds: Rein in Your Officers or We’ll Prosecute

Top state attorney says his office will investigate federal officers’ criminal conduct during protests and immigration enforcement
Avatar photoAvatar photo Courtney Vaughn and Jeremiah Hayden

Prosecutors in Oregon are warning the US justice department to rein in federal agents who’ve repeatedly used excessive force on protesters, immigrants and even local police. A joint letter from Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and district attorneys from Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington Counties, demands the US Department of Justice “immediately halt unlawful and reckless […]

Posted inNews

Proposed Detention Center Fee Yields Hostile City Council Meeting

Anti-ICE activists say the proposed code change falls short. Supporters say it could help prevent new ICE facilities and recoup ongoing costs.
Avatar photo Jeremiah Hayden

Portland City Hall faced three competing demonstrations on Wednesday as the City Council considered a rental pricing ordinance and a change to city code that could slow the Trump administration’s local anti-immigration machine. The November 20 Council meeting was disrupted on several occasions and included multiple expulsions. On the agenda was the ordinance barring algorithmic […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Trump Launches Another Desperate Appeal, ICE Kidnappings Up 550 Percent, and Epstein’s Damning Emails

Avatar photo Wm. Steven Humphrey

If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’s news reporting, arts and culture coverage, event calendar, and the bevy of events we host throughout the year. The work we do helps our city shine, but we can’t do it without your support. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and […]

Posted inNews

With a Tenuous Ceasefire in Gaza, Portland Councilors Pledge to Investigate the City’s Links to Israel

Councilors say that a lack of action from US Congress has forced them to think locally to stop the flow of weapons and military aid to Israel. 
Avatar photo Abe Asher

Last month, the progressive block of the Portland City Council signed onto a pledge to investigate the city’s financial ties to Israel and its military. They’re calling on city councils across the country to do the same.  The pledge, which was launched by the Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and its […]

Posted inPhoto Essay

Sweating Out the Fascism With Anti-ICE Aerobics

Portland’s absurdist protest tactics continued with people emulating aerobics instructor/activist Jane Fonda outside the ICE facility.
Avatar photo Corbin Smith

On Sunday, November 9, roughly 20 people met outside Portland’s Immigrations and Customs Enforcement facility for an aerobics workout class. Decked out in neon leotards, the participants did grapevines to classic, upbeat ‘80s new wave tunes in front of the boarded-up ICE building, where right-wing paramilitary types were conspiring to arrest and deport people.  Sunday’s […]

Posted inNews

Portlander Recounts Experience in Israeli Detention Center

Paul Reid was among several activists whose boats were intercepted by Israeli military forces while traveling with the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Avatar photo Kevin Foster

Paul Reid, a Portland resident, sailed across the Mediterranean Sea recently with the Global Sumud Flotilla, a group aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. As the flotilla of over 40 boats approached Gaza, they were intercepted by the Israeli military and taken into custody.  Reid, along with many other activists, described mistreatment and harsh […]

Posted inNews

Man Suspected of Starting Fire Near City Councilor’s Home Arrested

Police say the man lit a fire near a shed to stay warm. It then spread to nearby structures.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Police have arrested a suspect who they believe started the fire near City Councilor Candace Avalos’ home on October 26. According to the Portland Police Bureau, Vashon M. Locust, 51, was trying to use an electrical outlet in a shed near Avalos’ house to plug in a heater in the early morning hours on Sunday, October 26. The outlet didn’t work, so he reportedly lit a small fire, which spread. The fire destroyed the councilor’s vehicle, carport, and part of her home. Initially, police said the blaze was suspicious, but later reported no sign of any accelerant or incendiary device that would indicate the fire was a targeted attack. Court records indicate Locust is likely unhoused and as recently as 2024, was documented as battling behavioral health issues.

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