Mending the enforcement gap in “the city of roses.”
Oregon State Police who are now charged with keeping the peace in Portland and its surrounding suburbs have been “cross-deputized” by the federal government, a local news organization revealed Wednesday, meaning that those arrested by Oregon state police officers can be prosecuted by the United States attorney for crimes stemming from the ongoing unrest even if the local prosecutor refuses to.
It may be part of an earlier deal to reduce federal police presence in Portland.
Now it seems the agreement also involved allowing the United States attorney the opportunity to supersede decisions made by the Multnomah County district attorney who noted, early on in the unrest, that he would pursue only “limited prosecution” for certain crimes, including interfering with a peace officer, disorderly conduct in the second degree, harassment, criminal trespass, and even “riot.”
The Multnomah County prosecutors office also said, back in early August, that if a person is arrested for “a misdemeanor or felony crime that causes only financial harm during a protest,” they will be offered “conditional dismissal.”
A get-out-of-jail-free card.
Ultimately, this is Trump’s doing, saving a city from itself. With AG Barr an essential part of it. Put good people in charge, get results. So far.
Blithe Spirit 