Check on your neighbors during hot weather
Help them make a plan to get somewhere cool. Find places to stay cool and tips for taking care of yourself and others.
Portland is a Sanctuary City
News
Displaying 1 - 20 of 98
Owners of disabled vehicles can face widely disparate charges when Portland Police call for a private request tow
Police can make a vehicle breakdown or accident less stressful for vehicle owners when they order a private request tow under the Police Directive on towing. However, this option can also leave motorists unfairly exposed to widely disparate rates. The City’s tow contract does not cover these tows.
Report
Fire safety concerns at the Cherry Blossom Townhomes
An Ombudsman investigation found that the Fire Bureau’s poor communication left residents of an East Portland affordable housing community concerned about their safety. We also found that parking practices at the property could impede Fire vehicle access.
Report
2024 Ombudsman Annual Report
We're here to make sure City government treats residents and businesses fairly. See what we were up to in 2024.
Report
Portland Water Bureau accepts Ombudsman’s recommendation to remove unfair fee; other City agencies follow suit
After a 2024 Ombudsman investigation identified inequitable impacts of returned payment fees, the Water Bureau and three other City agencies will remove returned payment fees next fiscal year.
Press release
Supplemental graphics details for "Ombudsman Memo Property Maintenance Enforcement Follow-Up 2025"
This page shares details about the supplemental data used in the Ombudsman's January 2025 follow-up memo to PP&D.
Ombudsman’s review finds City has partly implemented recommendations to reduce harm of complaint-driven property maintenance enforcement system
The City has taken steps to address the inequitable impacts of property maintenance enforcement, but the complaint-based system continues to harm vulnerable homeowners.
Report
Ombudsman investigation finds predatory towing harmed residents of low-income housing complexes
An Ombudsman investigation found that predatory towing at a cluster of low-income apartment complexes in the Cully neighborhood caused significant financial and emotional injuries to vulnerable, mostly Latino community members.
Report
Ombudsman recommends streamlined enforcement of tour bus safety regulations
An Ombudsman review found that numerous tour companies do not comply with City regulations designed to ensure public safety. We recommended the Bureau of Transportation streamline enforcement to bring unpermitted companies into compliance.
Report
2023 Ombudsman Annual Report
We're here to make sure City government treats residents and businesses fairly. See what we were up to in 2023.
Updated Report
Ombudsman finds Water Bureau overcharged for past returned payment fees, recommends removing such fees going forward
After a complaint, the Ombudsman investigated the Water Bureau’s practice of charging fees for returned payments. The Ombudsman recommended the Bureau notify customers impacted by a past overcharge that they are entitled to a refund, and that the Bureau remove returned payment fees going forward.
Report
City has committed to implementing recommendations from 2023 Ombudsman report on U visas
We have reviewed the status of the four recommendations from our report and found that the Police Bureau has committed to implementing them. One recommendation has been partly implemented and three are in progress.
Report
City has not implemented most of Ombudsman’s recommendations on emergency board-ups
In July 2023, the Ombudsman's Office released a report that highlighted evidence of misconduct by the City’s emergency board-up contractor and pointed to gaps in the City’s oversight of the contract. On May 20, 2024, the Ombudsman sent a follow-up letter to Community Safety Division Director Myers.
Report
Adoption of Administrative Rules 6.01 Ombudsman’s Office Policies & Procedures and 10.01 Fraud Hotline | April 2024
The City Auditor’s Office has adopted new administrative rules effective April 10, 2024.
Public notice
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for ARA 6.01 Ombudsman’s Office Policies & Procedures | March 2024
The City Auditor’s Office proposes updates to this administrative rule, which is available for public comment for thirty days before adoption.
Public notice
Ombudsman recommends Urban Forestry revisit fees and regulations governing certain development permit reviews
After a complaint, the Ombudsman investigated how Urban Forestry reviews some development permits for compliance with street tree planting standards. In December, the Ombudsman sent a memo to Parks Director Adena Long identifying concerns with the review fee and the clarity of City Code provisions.
Report
Vessels at Public Docks Unlawfully Seized and Destroyed
City conduct resulted in unlawful seizure and destruction of Portlanders’ vessels. City should follow proper procedures to better protect vulnerable Portlanders.
Report
Protecting Undocumented Victims of Crime
The Portland Police Bureau failed to live up to its responsibilities in handling U visas, which are designed to protect undocumented victims of crime. The City should act with urgency to remedy past harm and make programmatic changes to ensure problems do not resurface.
Report
2022 Ombudsman Annual Report
We're your Rose City Watchdog and we're here to make sure City government treats residents and businesses fairly. See what we were up to in 2022.
Report
See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback.