PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) – In a one-on-one interview with FOX 12, the sheriff of Multnomah County voiced concerns about the conduct of federal officers in Portland, echoing the thoughts of several political leaders in Oregon.
Sheriff Mike Reese has previously served for more than four years as Portland’s police chief. On Tuesday morning, he said he is not surprised to see anger on Portland streets again after more than 50 days of protests.
I'm not surprised,” Reese said to FOX 12’s Pete Ferryman. “I think a lot of people are disappointed in the response by the federal police … certainly, the people that are out protesting against the perceived overreaction by federal authorities to peaceful protesters has a lot of us concerned.”
Ferryman: “Perceived overreaction. The acting DHS secretary says their mission is simple–to protect federal property. It's their responsibility, they say. Is it that simple?"
Reese: “Well, they certainly have a responsibility to maintain the safety and security of their facilities, but how they do that matters greatly. And we always want to be measured and professional and proportional in how we respond to protests or any criminal behavior … it's concerning that you have agents that appear not to have the training in crowd management and the background into how to deescalate involved in managing what is a very complex situation. We have to be fair and consistent, regardless of the message, or who is out there delivering the message. In the recent activities in the last week, I don't think we've seen that from our federal partners.”
Ferryman: “Again, specifically, what have you not seen? What are they doing that's not in your playbook, so to speak?”
Reese: “Again, I want to be mindful that there is an investigation that's going on, which I think is the right thing to do, with some of the actions that we've seen. Having federal authorities, the U.S. attorney’s office step in and begin an investigation into those actions is absolutely right and it provides a measure of accountability that all of us want to see.”
Sheriff Mike Reese. KPTV image.
Ferryman: “The acting DHS secretary says the situation was out of control, and that's why they had to step in. They didn't feel that local law enforcement was doing a good enough job to protect federal property. Do you think that’s an accurate assessment?”
Reese: “I would disagree. I think that we were seeing the protest activity start to diminish, certainly around the federal properties and around the justice center. The people that were outside the Justice center at night. The crowds had diminished to maybe 100 people, and many of them were engaged in partying behavior. And we had a few of the anarchists mixed into that, and it was a challenging environment. But certainly it was starting to wane and our Portland Police Bureau and deputy sheriffs were dealing with it appropriately.”
Reese’s final point is still the subject of much debate. Last Friday, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler Told MSNBC’s Brian Williams that he believed the violent protests would have ended by this past weekend if not for federal officers coming to town. Reese in his interview on Tuesday didn’t go that far, but said the move by federal officers clearly escalated tensions.
Reese also shared his views about the future of policing in Portland and the voices of concerned citizens:
Ferryman: "I'm sure you receive a lot of emails from concerned citizens. I know that I do, and I've noticed there is one common denominator ... these people, they want their city back. When does that happen and how?"
Reese: "If I knew the answer to that I'd bottle it and sell it to almost every major city in the United States right now. These are complex and difficult situations to manage, and how we manage them matters to the community. The concern I have, and I share it with a lot of Portlanders, is that our beautiful city has become the center of this national debate. And, on both extremes you've got folks that see Portland as a lightning rod, and a place to weigh in on the politics, and politicizing law enforcement and public safety is never appropriate."
Ferryman: "In your assessment, are all of the videos that have recently surfaced. Including the video of George Floyd being killed at the hands of police. Are those proof of systemic racism in American law enforcement?"
Reese: "I think there's been systemic racism in our criminal justice system forever, for decades and decades. We've certainly made mistakes in how we police over the years ... our local public safety professionals, whether it's our corrections deputies or deputy sheriffs, our Portland police officers are committed to working through that working with the community to build trust, and a criminal justice system here in Multnomah County that we can all be proud of."
Ferryman: "Do you think that it's practical or even ethical to send a highly trained social worker to a domestic violence call, for example. Does that work in the real world?"
Reese: "It can. Again, I don't want to prejudge any solutions to how we police or how we manage the well being of our community. Police are one of the ways we provide safety to our community, but we're not the only tool in that toolbox."
Ferryman: "Meanwhile, a large portion of downtown of Portland is covered with plywood. We're seeing businesses failing every day it seems, another iconic business is closing it's doors for good. How much longer can this go on?"
Reese: "I am deeply concerned about the impact on the City of Portland, on our psyche and on our business community. We are a vibrant and thriving city, we are resilient as Portlanders. But the violence has to end."
Copyright 2020 KPTV-KPDX Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.
(15) comments
Reese and all of the lying, corrupt Oregon Liberals should be fired. Lies is all they know. Also, Fox 12 is garbage. Pure garbage. Weak questions strung about. Not news anymore its propaganda
This is one of the most disturbing interviews I've seen regarding RiOTS. The situation has been out of control for 50 plus days. The Portland Moms were praised for standing arm in arm between(no social distancing) protesters and police in day time but at night caught on video participating in damaging the Justice Center. Talk about a disgrace! They should be ashamed! Here's a link to the video of the #Portland Moms holding a fence panel to brace their criminal children trying to kick through wall of JC. They're the women in yellow if you watch to the end. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=302704257747180&id=103114717706136&d=null&vh=e Am I the only one that sees what is wrong with that picture? I shared that video with this channel and several of the anchors. Crickets. The media is misleading the public and inciting more violence against police and more destruction to property. It's a shame when one can't even trust local news to show the truth! As if the hijacked protests aren't bad enough then you add fuel to the fire?! I am at a complete loss! I also shared this video of Anti fa leaders plotting violence against Portland. Crickets. It appears to me they're discussing a hit on a officer, "do 'em dorty", please correct me if I'm wrong.
https://youtu.be/xMk0Xumm4H4
So, this sheriff is going against all the other officers who are pleading to have their hands untied to do their jobs and so grateful for those in the public that seek out the whole truth before making judgment calls?
I have watched these after midnight riots, available by livestream for 50 plus days. Real protests thst seek change aren't happening between midnight and 4 am. Why is everyone refusing to accept or blatantly covering up that these are riots at night, mostly peaceful protests in day. Have to ask yourself why the media is stoking the fire, or covering up the truth? Why are these journalists now activists without truth? The tax paying residents and businesses of Portland are begging for help to stop the damage and quell the danger level for them. It's a war zone. People are being attacked for supporting the President, the lack of color in their skin, their religion or if they support local law enforcement. Since when did we start condoning that type of violence? Obviously those in control of the media have a vendetta against the President, are pleased with the destruction of Portland, the violence against its residents and Police. To set Mayor Wheeler stay silent while the attacks continuedand remained out of control, but suddenly speak that its the Feds fault? Twilight zone. Why isn't the media telling you that the young man who was taken from scene, was not arrested, went willingly and was strategically removed from location to avoid conflict with approaching, hostile mob, questioned for 20 minutes and released right back to street? Went willingly and was never arrested? The full videos are available but the media isn't sharing those. The truth is easily accessible bur they're not telling it.
People, believe none of what you hear and half of what you see!! These Feds are highly trained police, not military, their uniforms are clearly marked, and police have to use undercover vehicles because otherwise they'd be attacked and destroyed by rioters!
This same mayor allowed riots and attacks on ICE a few years ago that caused damage, destruction and death. When is enough, enough? If you are not completely misled by this onslaught of lies, cover up, half truth, pandering to the far leftist agenda, please seek out a FB group to support law enforcement, recall of the governor and other corrupt or ineffective officials and help spread the truth. Our community's need us to stand up to this. Our police need us to have their backs. Our families and neighbors deserve the truth. In the end, we the taxpayers are getting the bill for the 10 million(so far) plus in damage to Portland business and government structures alone. Not to mention all the lawsuits that will come. Taxpayers, if you want the truth, unfortunately, you will not find it on TV news. You will have to seek the truth elsewhere. Don't be misled. Don't be a pawn in someone's dangerous game or vendetta. Do your due diligence. The truth is widely available, there's no excuse to be played by this borderline criminal media narrative.
When your ready for change, do your research and VOTE!! it's time for change, starting with the government that's abandoned its citizens, created huge deficits, failed to defend and protect its citizens and its businesses.. taxpayers will not only bear this financial burden, but no one in their right mind would bring a new business to these cities where utter destruction and violence is continually allowed. I feel the government officials are complicit in every crime. This needs to stop. See for yourself in those links, if this post even makes it public, the truth is widely available. Do not be deceived by the "news" any longer. It's a sad state of affairs when you can't even trust local media. Shane on them all.
Turn in your badge, what happened to protect and serve? Letting people destroy property night after night isn't protecting or serving.
He's just like his daddy "Bud"!
It's all about what fits his agenda.
Total corruption.
Drain the swamp Mr.President.
Agree 100% . This agenda is clear. The cover up of the truth is real. Get involved. There are groups on social media to support police, recall governor, spread the truth, stand up, Patriots! Stop the insanity. Force the truth to be told.
He obviously condones this violence. He stands back and let's it all happen likeTerrible ted. They are too scared of the terrorists they have enabled.
Then stop rioters from attacking federal properties and violating federal laws.
Oh shut up, Mike... nobody cares what you think, anyway...
He won't last long. If I was Mayor I would call action Jackson that retired. to take over the police department. For a short time
They did not ask the tough correct questions. He is a tool. These thugs should have been water canon and arrested.
I too am very disappointed in the leader ship in the Portland Metro area. For several years now all they have done is pandered to the violent left-wing terrorists. And it is become very evident in the last seven weeks. I believe 100% in the right to free speech. I believe 100% in the right to peaceably protest. I believe 100% in the right to assemble. However, when that peaceful protest becomes a violent riot, becomes an act of terrorism against the citizens then I no longer believe that they have a right to do anything. For the last seven weeks I have watched the peaceful protesters go about their business of protesting for multiple things that they think they believed him. And then the violence starts. I have yet to see these peaceful protesters come out and denounce the violence. I have yet to see these peaceful protesters sanction those amongst their ranks that are burning buildings, vandalizing public and private property, Looting private businesses, attacking innocent citizens. However play on scene our public officials turn a blind eye to all of these actions. And now that federal law-enforcement officers For the last two weeks are protecting federal buildings all of a sudden The same worthless leaders the mayor, the city Council, the governor of Oregon Are blaming the same federal law-enforcement officers for the last seven weeks of violent riots. But then of course this is a democrat run city, this is a state where the Democrats Control the government, so therefore anything that does not fit the leftist agenda is demonized. How many times have the voters the actual citizens of the state voted in a certain direction only to have the Democrats in power overturn that because obviously politicians know better what is good for the citizens than the citizens do.
Reese has always been a political tool depending who he reports to.
the only future he cares about is his own. this is politics. cant wait to see him replaced with a black sheriff for not pandering enough
"disappointed" ? That's one of the milder terms people would use to describe their reaction to the TOTAL FAILURE of local gov't and law enforcement. 4+yrs of assaults, vandalism, and denying the rights of others, while our taxpayer-funded functionaries enable their lawless actions. If these "protesters" wanted to be taien seriously, they'd address their concerns in an intelligent and civilized manner, not by committing crimes. The streets belong to tax-paying, law-abiding citizens, not deluded, sociopathic, reprobates. DHS & PACT are doing what you should have been doing, since Day 1: standing up for law and order and public safety. We welcome, applaud, and encourage their actions. You should be taking notes, not whining.
It's like watching the twilight zone on the news these days, while they cover up the truth. The Praised Portland Moms caught on video participating in the overnight vandalism to Justice Center was shared with this and all other local news channels, yet they continue the lying narrative. The destruction and criminal activity has continued overnight in Portland, but media is covering it up. Police haven't arrested protesters, they've arrested rioters. The "kidnapped by Feds" teen wasn't arrested, just questioned and released within 20 minutes. The media knows the truth, yet the pedal the lies to you. Fed up yet? There are FB groups to support police, a new recall
Kate Brown petition is available online. Get involved, take back your cities.
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