The Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) investigated the delivery of a police activity notification that was sent at 1:45 a.m. from Southeast 112th to 114th avenues, between Southeast Holgate Boulevard and Boise Street.
Approximately 10,100 phone numbers and email addresses received this notification when it was intended to reach only 150 within a two-block radius. Notifications are based on location. Some people may have multiple phone numbers and email addresses registered.
The error occurred because a setting changed a rule limiting alerts to the intended location and instead notified all opt-in phone numbers and email addresses across Multnomah County. Multnomah County government did not issue the alert. This setting was implemented last week, in consultation with our software vendor, Everbridge, and was immediately removed once the error was discovered.
"We apologize for waking up community members with a message that didn’t apply to them. We value our community’s trust and we understand the critical need to ensure that the messages and their delivery are accurate,” said Katy Wolf, Operations Manager of the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management.
PBEM recently brought on an alert and warning program coordinator to help refine the system’s usage, increase training for system users and enhance understanding for the public.
The City and the County work together to manage the joint alert and warning notification system. The purpose of the system is to give community members information they need to make decisions that ensure the safety of themselves, their families and their property. Signing up is a way to receive important notifications about life safety actions they can take, such as locking doors during a police search or evacuating if there is a nearby fire. Visit PublicAlerts.org to register.
For questions related to this system, contact: publicalerts@portlandoregon.gov.