At least two Oregon sheriffs have now told Democrat Gov. Kate Brown that they won’t be sending officers from their departments to help quell the violent riots in Portland, saying that more law enforcement won’t help the situation if there’s not a policy in place to hold lawbreakers accountable.
Sheriff Craig Roberts, of Clackamas County, said Brown never even consulted with his office before rolling out her plan, which calls on law enforcement departments from the surrounding area to send personnel into the city to help get the unrest under control. Brown rolled out her plan after polling showed the riots raging in cities across the countries are beginning to hurt Democrats as Americans’ support for the “protests” dwindles.
Roberts said that simply sending in more officers won’t help if the governor doesn’t plan to hold violent arsonists and looters accountable for destroying the city.
“Increasing law enforcement resources in Portland will not solve the nightly violence and now, murder,” the sheriff said. “The only way to make Portland safe again, is to support a policy that holds offenders accountable for their destruction and violence.”
“The same offenders are arrested night after night, only to be released by the court and not charged with a crime by the DA’s Office. The next night they are back at it, endangering the lives of law enforcement and the community all over again,” he said in a statement.
"Had Governor Brown asked me, I would have told her that no amount of human resources will stop the 'cycle of violence' (her term) that is making Portland unsafe," Roberts added.
Likewise, Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett said he won’t be sending anyone from his office, citing an “unacceptable risk” to his deputies due to "the lack of political support for public safety, the uncertain legal landscape, the current volatility combined with intense scrutiny on use of force."
The violent unrest that has raged unhindered through Portland in recent months has left multiple buildings and countless cars burned, stores and businesses looted, vandalized and destroyed, and seen federal buildings and their officers attacked. Just last week 39-year-old Aaron “Jay” Danielson, a Trump supporter, was shot and killed in the street by an Antifa rioter.