Fed-Portland police brutality reform deal looks fake
Funny thing, the big settlement of the federal investigation into violence by the Portland police is based largely on the city quickly setting up a walk-in mental health center, which has zero funding and lukewarm support from people who actually know how to treat mental illness. And there's unlikely to be any money for it ever, what with all the "urban renewal" we've got to do at Portland State, Goose Hollow, and elsewhere. But the lame-duck mayor and possibly lame duck Chief Nurse needed some headlines on this, and they got them. Meanwhile, look at the bright side -- streetcar rides are only a dollar!
| Posted at 9:45 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (4)
Today’s Metro section of the “O” has the headline “A mental health challenge” with Sammyboy’s picture right underneath it. The positioning may be just a coincidence, but the pairing seems appropriate.
Posted by TR | November 2, 2012 10:14 AM
Since few are riding the streetcar, why don't we use it for the mental health center. Convenient pick-ups through-out the city. The police would only have to drive to the nearest stop, and not deal with all those pesky downtown traffic problems for east-side clients!
Posted by umpire | November 2, 2012 10:22 AM
I hear the Convention Center has a lot of excess, unused space that would be ideal for such a center. Plus it's on the Streetcar, MAX and bus lines, centrally located and even within walking distance of most of those in need of these services whose addresses are "Steel Bridge, Portland, Oregon".
And it's already LEED certified!
Posted by Erik H. | November 2, 2012 12:39 PM
I can do this: $750,000 per year with leadership commitment for 3 years, open 70 hours a week, centrally located and sticky, staff of 8, 25+ volunteers, integrated with worthwhile treatments AND cop-friendly, consumer-centered, 4000+ unique visitors per year.
But it has to be called the Chasse Center. And no guarantees it would reduce the PPB use-of-force complaints by persons with mental illness.
Posted by Jason Renaud | November 3, 2012 11:20 AM