Since 1997, the downtown enhanced service district, managed by Clean & Safe, has funded four Portland Police Bureau (PPB) sworn bike patrol officers in the downtown area. Historically these officers worked with Clean & Safe’s Safety Coordinators, alleviating the number of calls for service that would otherwise be handled by regular patrol officers and providing community policing services within the Downtown and Old Town neighborhoods.
Although this has helped alleviate issues within the downtown enhanced service district, the City Auditor, Clean & Safe, and members of the public have recently raised concerns regarding the funding of public safety services by a private nonprofit organization. In response, both the City of Portland and Clean & Safe have agreed to develop a plan to transition away from Clean & Safe funding the bike patrol positions, while ensuring the transition does not negatively impact the level of police services currently available in the downtown area.
A tentative agreement has been created that would continue Clean & Safe’s funding of four bike patrol positions until June 30, 2024, which would allow for data collection needed to ensure a smooth transition. After the tentative agreement concludes, PPB has a goal of maintaining the four bike patrol positions until at least June 30, 2026, dependent upon available staffing and resources. Throughout the agreement, PPB retains the right to adjust or retain the Bike Patrol as needed to prioritize and ensure adequate public safety services across the City.
As part of this process, the City will be holding a listening session on March 8 to give community members a chance to learn more about the tentative agreement and give feedback.
Further information about the tentative agreement, the listening session, and how to provide written comment can be found at: www.portland.gov/omf/cleanandsafe, or by contacting the ESD Coordinator at shawn.campbell@portlandoregon.gov.