Police preparing for protests, street takeovers in Portland this weekend

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland police are once again preparing for a mass gathering and march slated for downtown this Saturday following a similar event earlier this month.

A separate illegal street takeover event involving cars engaging in races is also expected to happen in Portland this Saturday, which police said they are also preparing for.

Downtown marches

The activities are expected to begin in the mid-morning, with multiple crowds slated to gather at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Some of the groups said they plan to march, police said. However, it’s unknown just where the groups will be marching to.

It’s unclear how many people will show up, but activities will likely begin after 11 a.m.

The Portland Police Bureau said crowds could very well number in the thousands, similar to the attendance level of the “Hands Off!” rally protesting against President Donald Trump held on April 5.

Portland police said certain officers who serve as liaisons for demonstrators have reached out to different organizations and potential participants, but so far, none of the groups have obtained a permit.

PPB said that despite the fact that they’re not aware of any permits for a march being issued, they still encourage organizers to obtain one to help with traffic control and to warn emergency responders of alternative routes.

Prior to the previous rally this month, Portland police held a news conference previewing their preparations. Officials said the response this Saturday will similarly involve the use of Dialogue Officers after the police department received special training in responding to public order events from Clifford Stott, a social psychology expert.

Only one person was arrested following the march earlier this month. However, due to the sheer size of the anticipated march, Portland police said they are hoping to keep the peace and keep people safe.

Sgt. Kevin Allen, a spokesperson for PPB, told KOIN 6 News that police are aware of people having “a lot of momentum right now” and that they understand the community “wants to have their voice heard.”

“There’s going to be cops on foot. We’ll have Dialogue Officers in the white uniform shirts. We’ll have officers on bicycle, motorcycle, in vehicles,” Allen said. “Ultimately, our goal is to- to facilitate and increase public safety. If there should be some kind of criminal activity, that is also something that we’re prepared to address.”

It’s unknown what the exact timing is of Saturday’s gatherings and marches or how it will impact traffic, police said.

Illegal street takeover event

Portland police said they are also prepared for planned illegal street racing/street takeover events scheduled for Saturday night deemed “Swing into Easter” and “PDX is Everyone.”

Officers “will be conducting a special enforcement mission to address this dangerous behavior,” PPB said in a release.

The event is expected to draw in people from across the region. Police are warning participants who engage in illegal street racing could be subjected to jail time, fines, tows and forfeited vehicles.

“Street racing and street takeovers are dangerous and pose a safety risk to our community,” PPB Chief Bob Day said in a statement. “This reckless behavior endangers not only the participants but also innocent drivers who share the road, turning what should be a normal commute into potentially life-threatening situations. Our officers will be taking decisive enforcement action this weekend to address this illegal behavior.”

“We’ve had shootings happen at these before. We’ve had people shooting off fireworks into crowds of people. We’ve seen people be struck by vehicles and seriously injured, and we’ve seen people killed,” Sgt. Allen added.

PPB said it’s unclear where in the city the Portland street takeover event will take place. However, they advised the public that if a person stumbles across an event like this, try to avoid it.