Portland police should ticket traffic offenders, according to a recent letter to the editor (Readers respond: Officers should enforce traffic regulations, Dec. 9). They ought should. However, how are they able to? The city’s mid-November sworn staffing report states that PPB has 287 patrol officers working three precincts around-the-clock.The police force in our community is woefully understaffed.
Of Portland’s 789 sworn officers, 23 are on leave of absence and 88 are undergoing training. Despite hiring 200 officers, the Portland Police Bureau has lost almost 300 policemen since 2020. Police Chief Bob Day thinks Portland should have at least 1,037 sworn officers based on comparable cities’ staffing levels.
We are still understaffed, in my opinion, primarily because of Mayor Ted Wheeler’s control over the police and his poor management of the 2020 riots. Since taking office, Wheeler has served as the head of the Portland Police Bureau.
Many police officers departed the force in 2020 because they were unable to reasonably enforce our laws. They just cannot keep up with the amount of crime if there are fewer police officers. Now, driving is riskier. These days, speeding and running red lights are normal. When I don’t run a late yellow or red, I’ve had drivers honk at me. Some even avoid me. The same is reported by other family members and friends. On our own, we can improve Portland’s safety by altering our driving practices.
In order for the city to enforce its laws and become a safer place to live, I implore you, new Mayor Keith Wilson, to make fixing the Portland Police Bureau your top priority.
Portland’s Frank Baccellieri
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