Portland, Oregon police are dissolving their Property Crimes Unit due to ongoing staffing issues. The closure has drawn concerns from business owners who have been impacted by property crimes.
Portland, Oregon's Property Crimes Unit (PCU) has been dissolved amid staffing shortages within the police department, raising concerns from local business owners who have faced increased property crime.
The Portland Police Bureau's PCU was responsible for investigating burglaries, stolen cars, organized retail crime, and identity theft. However, the unit's disbandment is part of a larger shift in resources within the department, according to police spokesperson Terri Wallo Strauss.
Portland Disbands Property Crimes Unit Amid Staffing Issues
Strauss explained that the decision was made after leadership within the investigative branch of the police bureau presented a plan to "effectively manage their resources." The department has been grappling with a police shortage since 2020, with the number of sworn officers declining from 1001 in 2019 to 801 this year. There are also 80 sworn vacancies.
Rhonda Nienburg, owner of Hendrix and McGuire Optical, expressed her concern over the closure of the Property Crimes Unit. She has spent thousands of dollars replacing broken windows and had to install a gate and cameras for added security.
Portland Disbands Property Crimes Unit Amid Staffing Issues
"Business owners are the heart and soul of this city," Nienburg said. "Most small business owners are struggling, and we need you to think about that when you go and dismantle property crimes units."
Strauss emphasized that the Portland police department will continue to investigate property crimes despite the unit's dissolution. "Due to retirements and promotions, we determined there was a need for more detectives to investigate cases involving some of the most vulnerable persons in our community," she said.
Portland Disbands Property Crimes Unit Amid Staffing Issues
The three officers who were part of the disbanded unit will be transferred to the Special Victims Unit and Sex Crimes Unit. The Special Victims Unit handles cases involving domestic violence, vulnerable adults, and elder crime victims, while the Sex Crimes Unit investigates crimes of sexual violence within the city of Portland.
While the police department acknowledges the staffing challenges, it is actively recruiting and hiring officers. However, it takes 18 months to 2 years to train new officers, and the department currently has 94 officers in various stages of training.
Portland Disbands Property Crimes Unit Amid Staffing Issues
Despite the efforts to address the staffing shortage, business owners and residents remain concerned about the potential impact of the Property Crimes Unit's closure on property crime rates in the city. They emphasize the need for a strong and effective police force to protect their property and ensure the safety of the community.
