Rogue "Solutions Guy" Officer Targets Homeless

In late 2003, one Portland police officer initiated several programs designed to make life difficult for the homeless community. Officer Jeff Myers (#39608) destroyed a community garden once maintained by the First Presbyterian Church near SW 13th Ave. and I-405 (the downtown freeway). Myers claimed that "the small park had become a hotbed of illicit behavior for the homeless" and had the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) dig it up to prevent drug use and urination (Portland Mercury, October 16).

Myers cooked up a broad I-405 "pilot project" about a year ago with the blessing of Central Precinct Commander Rosie Sizer. According to Sizer, the program "merely" documents trespass warnings in the freeway corridor. An officer can issue a written trespass warning to anyone in ODOT-controlled areas along 405, which excludes them from the entire area for 18 months. If they return, they may be prosecuted for Criminal Trespass.

After challenges from Crossroads, JOIN, street roots, and other advocacy groups, the program was delayed until ODOT gives its blessing (still pending at PPR deadline).

Myers' greatest "achievement" was discovered during the latest challenge to Drug-Free Zones (DFZs, see sidebar). The November 15 Oregonian reported that Myers kept a secret list of the area's most frequently arrested people, which he distributed to all the officers downtown. The list became public during litigation on the DFZs. At least 12 of the 35 people on the list are homeless, and 24 of the 35 are African American. Numerous attorneys complained that Myers' list, which resulted in some people being incarcerated over 30 times in three months, violates due process and equal protection guarantees.

City officials believe the list is legal. To avoid the constitutional issues Myers' list has created, they have decided to maintain the list, but simply not print it out any more.

For more information call Crossroads at 503-222-5694 x14.