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Restoration Projects and Green Streets: Planning and evaluation needed to confirm success

Though some specific improvements are undeniable, the Bureau does not have a planning and evaluation framework to quantify and communicate where it has invested those millions and how successful it has been in achieving overall goals for improving environmental health.

Report

Restoration projects and green streets improve water quality, restore wildlife habitat, and prevent flooding. Our audit found that without formal methods to select projects and document outcomes, the City risks not meeting those goals.

Data Loss Prevention: City's approach is sound but its practices should be strengthened

Overall the City of Portland’s approach to data loss prevention is sound. The audit did, however, identify some vulnerabilities and recommend actions the City can take to strengthen its data security program. Continued progress will help decrease the risk of data loss.

Report

White icons on blue backgrounds illustrating data loss prevention concepts

Short-Term Rental Regulation: Enforcement is lax and effect on housing crisis unknown

Despite concerns about the effect of short-term rentals on housing availability and affordability, the City of Portland does not collect data needed to regulate these rentals and monitor the housing market.

Report

A map of northwest Oregon with a red dart on Portland, Oregon.

Private Stormwater Management: City reliance on property owners requires review of risks and results

We found that the Bureau of Environmental Services did not have reliable data on private structures and did not evaluate the effectiveness of its programs. We make recommendations to ensure that the Bureau’s programs to manage stormwater on private property are effective and working as intended.

Report

A photograph of a stormwater management example: a rain garden in the front yard of a private residence.

Portland Police: Improvements made to training program

The Portland Police Bureau implemented or is in the process of implementing 12 recommendations made by the City Auditor in 2015 to improve police officer training, according to our follow-up audit.

Report

Photograph of the front of the Portland Police Bureau's training complex.

Regional Arts and Culture Council: Clear City goals aligned with strong Arts Council strategy will improve arts and culture services

This report makes recommendations to improve the City’s provision of art and culture services through its contract with the Regional Arts and Culture Council.

Report

A photograph of murals at Southwest Alder Street and Southwest 11th Avenue in Portland, Oregon

Gang Enforcement Patrol: The Police Bureau must show that traffic stops are effective

Auditors found racial disparities: 59 percent of the Gang Enforcement Team’s traffic stops affected African Americans. Community members told auditors their concerns about such stops.

Report

A photograph of Gang Enforcement officers making a traffic stop in March 2017. Two officers stand next to the driver and passenger sides of a blue car.

Gang Crime Investigations: Lack of accountability and transparency reduced the community's trust in police

The Police Bureau was still collecting information about people’s gang associations, auditors found. Such practices raised concerns and potential legal questions.

Report

A screenshot of the Gang Enforcement Team's list of active gang members and associations (personally identifying information has been redacted)

Streets Improvement Projects: Bureau of Transportation has an inclusive planning process, but should improve assessments of neighborhood impact

Expectations for the project planning phase were met, but evaluation of project effectiveness needs improvement.

Report

Photograph of a white and green painted crosswalk on a street in Portland. A sign is posted near the crosswalk that describes what the different colors in the crosswalk mean.

Recreation Scholarships: Conflicting policy direction and communication barriers limit access

The City of Portland has contradictory goals for recreation services, according to our audit. The Bureau of Parks and Recreation wants community centers to charge fees to pay for activities while also ensuring access to all.

Report

Illustration of a community center in the middle of competing budget and access interests.

Portland Housing Bureau: Improved monitoring to protect housing investments

Improved monitoring at the Portland Housing Bureau has helped protect the City’s investments in housing, according to our audit.

Report

A collage of people, money, and building icons with photographs of affordable housing projects in Portland, Oregon.

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