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Illegal Drug Impact Areas Stir Controversy

The "Illegal Drug Impact Areas" (IDIAs) program approved by Portland City Council in April (PPR #53) went into effect on June 1. Portland city money now pays for an Assistant District Attorney specifically assigned to prosecute downtown drug crimes. Upon a person's conviction, a judge may prohibit individuals on probation for drug violations from entering the Lloyd District, Old Town and parts of Downtown for one to three years--whether or not they were arrested in those areas. Three overlapping zones cover cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

There are exceptions for things like accessing social services, education, or work, but violating these new IDIA requirements can lead to longer probation, and in some cases, jail time.

IDIA 
Maps

The previous Drug Free Zone policy ended in 2007 (PPR #43). As Street Roots (SR) noted on July 22, "Then Mayor Tom Potter allowed the Drug Free Zones to expire because he had concerns that the program, which largely excluded African Americans, was discriminatory." Public defender Chris O'Connor raised concerns about the new program when he asked SR, "How could a person prove they were in an area to, for example, seek social services, if they do not have written documentation of an appointment? That has not been tested." When SR made a records request to the Police Bureau for written guidelines or protocols for the IDIAs, they were told none existed.

The paper also included an editorial expressing dismay that hard drugs like cocaine and heroin are now being compared directly to marijuana. They said the IDIAs "have the potential to create systematic profiling and target [minorities and poor] people." They predict this new policy will "become another embarrassment for the city." We'd have to agree.

 

September, 2011
Also in PPR #54

Live Rounds Wound Man;
    New Death in Custody

  • OIR Group Visits Portland
  • Other area shootings
DOJ Investigates PPB
CPRC on Race & Force;
    Stats Reveal Profiling

Whistle Blower Loses Lawsuit
CRC: Whistle Blower Case,
    Retreat and Forum

IPR Annual Report Lacking
Review Board Report Reveals
    Cops Out of Policy

Top 25 settlements near $7M
Portland Rejoins Terror Task Force
Chief Targets "Gangs," Closes Bar
Gun Free Zone Report to Council
Tired Mom Testifies Against Sit/Lie
Drug Impact Areas Controversial
Police "Union" Contract In Secret
Quick Flashes:
    Drunk, Angry&Pervo cops

  • Drunk cops get light punishment
  • Traffic cop pulls gun in road rage
  • Pervocop expunges record
  • Young Black Man Catatonic After Arrest
Rapping Back 54
   

Portland Copwatch
PO Box 42456
Portland, OR 97242
(503) 236-3065/ Incident Report Line (503) 321-5120
e-mail: copwatch@portlandcopwatch.org

Portland Copwatch is a grassroots, volunteer organization promoting police accountability through citizen action.


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