A Portland County jail has refused to book a homeless man who allegedly refused to move or accept an offer of shelter despite bans on camping on public property.
Alasdair Macdonald became the first man to be arrested by the Portland Police Bureau for illegally camping near Northeast 28th Avenue and Alberta Street last Friday.
According to officials, both police and city outreach workers had spoken to Macdonald “several times” and warned him that if he did not accept shelter, he could be arrested.
In an interview, the defendant revealed that on the day of his arrest, his camp was surrounded by agents who also offered him a small house to move into.
Alasdair Macdonald was arrested after he allegedly refused to move or accept an offer of shelter despite bans on camping on public property.
‘I woke up to the police. They had me surrounded. They offered me a tiny house.
“I’d like to think about that, but there wasn’t time to think about it. The choice was ‘jail or a tiny house,'” MacDonald said. KOIN6.
Officials later clarified that the defendant refused to move into a shelter and was as a result taken to the Multnomah County Detention Center for violating the city’s camping rules.
But instead of being charged and jailed, he was cited and released by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.
“I was arrested, but I wasn’t searched. There was no crime,” Macdonald later recalled.
Officials later clarified that the defendant refused to move into a shelter and was, as a result, taken to a detention center for violating the city’s camping rules. (File image)
But instead of being charged and jailed, he was cited and released by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.
Representative John Plock, a spokesman for the office, said: Willamette Week that ‘jail staff does not book people arrested for violating city rules, only those accused of committing misdemeanors or felonies under state law.’
Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell also clarified that the executive’s decision not to book Macdonald was not an isolated incident, but a policy she believes in.
“As an elected official charged with running the prison system, I believe we should use the prison system as a place for people who pose a real danger to the public and that does not include individuals whose only crime is living without shelter,” O’Donnell said. KGW8.
He further assured citizens: ‘Our communications with the Mayor’s office regarding the Public Camping Ordinance began in the spring of 2023 and clearly outlined that violations of the city ordinance are not reportable and are only eligible for citations.
“I will not direct the Sheriff’s Office to arrest any individual for violations of city ordinances.”
Once the defendant was released, Mayor Ted Wheeler (pictured) in a statement said he was very disappointed by the Sheriff’s decision.
Under the city’s latest rules, camping on public property is prohibited only if there are available spots on a given day or night. (File image)
After the defendant was released, Mayor Ted Wheeler said in a statement that he was very disappointed by the sheriff’s decision.
‘I am disappointed by the Sheriff’s decision to refuse to book people arrested for violating the law.
“I am deeply concerned about this disconnect and what it may mean for future efforts to improve public safety,” the mayor said. Fox News.
Under the city’s latest regulations, camping on public property is prohibited only if beds are available on a given day or night.
If beds are not available, camping is permitted, but campfires, propane heaters, and blocking access to private property are not permitted, among other restrictions.
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