Drunk drivers, illegal fireworks top concern for Portland police this holiday weekend

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — From fireworks to protests, Portland police are preparing for everything on this Fourth of July.

While many people enjoy watching the officially sanctioned fireworks show along the Willamette River on the night of the Fourth, and other areas, it’s illegal for civilians to buy and use fireworks in the City of Portland. Even still, some people break this ban and illegally launch fireworks in the city.

Portland Fire and Rescue has tracked nearly 1,000 reports of illegal fireworks over the last four days, with Portland Police taking action by issuing citations and seizing the fireworks.

“It’s not even just lighting them off — just to possessing them in the City of Portland can get you a citation, and they can be seized by the police,” said Seargent Kevin Allen with the Portland Police Department. 

But fireworks aren’t their main concern. Additional checkpoints for monitoring drunk or intoxicated drivers will be set across the city Friday night.

“It’s one of, frankly, the most deadly weekends that we typically see for car crashes and impaired driving. A lot of people are celebrating with alcohol and drugs,” Allen said. 

There are also protests across the area, including a die-in at the Pioneer Courthouse Square against Medicaid cuts following the passage of the so-called Big Beautiful Bill backed by President Donald Trump.

“I have stage four cancer. I use the Oregon Health plan for my treatment,” said protester Alessandra Ruiz. “If I lose my coverage through Medicaid, I won’t be able to afford it anymore, and I will likely die from it, statistically. And I know that I’m not the only one.”

And several protests are set at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland, with some creating a caravan to Tacoma, Washington, and calling for the release of a man arrested by ICE in June.

We’re aware of protests that are happening this weekend. And we’re monitoring those, as we always have been,” Allen said.