Community Forum: How Does Law Enforcement Interact With Vulnerable Populations?

The Office of Mayor Wheeler will host its monthly public safety forum on June 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 1900 SW 4th Avenue Room 2500B, on the topic of how police interact with vulnerable populations, including the houseless and those struggling with mental health and addiction.The forum will examine the upstream issues of homelessness, mental health and addiction, and how public safety officials interact with individuals, including referral to services and collaborating with other social service partners to address issues.

There will be two panels featuring service providers and public safety officials across jurisdictions who interact with vulnerable populations. The forum will discuss the importance of a public safety approach that is both accountable and compassionate.

The Mayor's Office is spearheading a program – the Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing (PCCEP) – to develop recommendations for how the Portland Police Bureau can better engage the community in its development of policies that directly affect Portlanders, with a specific focus on racial justice, constitutional policing and mental health issues. Part of PCCEP’s role is to facilitate conversations with Portlanders about public safety and police accountability.

The Mayor’s Office will host interim community forums until the PCCEP is established and members are seated. These interim meetings are held the last Wednesday of every month. Apply to sit on the PCCEP.