Portland: Your chance to shape police accountability TODAY and three other upcoming events

Hey Portland, 

One issue I hear a lot from constituents is that they don’t feel connected to the City or that it’s hard for them to know what’s happening: whether that’s a committee meeting on something that matters to them or a community listening session on a challenge directly affecting their neighborhood.  

I get it: most of us don’t have time to scroll through event calendars or subscribe to every bureau’s email list. 

That’s why I want to share just a couple of upcoming events I think you should know about: 

Police Accountability 

• TODAY: Wednesday, September 9, at 6 pm at the Portland Building (1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204): Meet the four candidates for director of Portland’s new Office of Community-based Police Accountability (OCPA). Online option available.  

Housing 

• Tuesday, September 15, at 2 pm at City Hall (1221 SW 4th Ave #110, Portland, OR 97204): Renters: The Housing and Permitting Committee wants to hear from you! We’re holding an open forum where renters can directly share their thoughts, concerns, and experiences with their city representatives.  

Voter education 

• Tuesday, September 15, from 6:30 – 8:15 pm at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St, Portland, OR 97202): Join me for a screening of The Choice and learn more about Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) ahead of Election Day in November!  

Community 

• Saturday, September 19, 9 am - 3 pm at the Chop Chop Food Pod Parking Lot (17150 SE Powell Blvd., Portland, OR, 97236): The Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Association is holding a Community Dumpster Day, great for getting rid of junk that’s hard to throw away curbside! If you have more questions or want to volunteer, email Ronda at Rondaj@cnncoalition.org or call at 971-438-8736. 

Now that you have the dates for your calendar, I want to go a little deeper into each event. Keep reading for more information, and why I think it’s particularly important for you to weigh in on the leadership of the OCPA. 

Portland: Join us online or in person September 9 at 6 p.m. at the Portland Building to meet the four candidates for director of Portland’s new Office of Community-based Police Accountability (OCPA).    

You’ll be able to hear directly from the candidates about their experience and vision for the new office, ask questions and provide feedback to the Community Board for Police Accountability before they consider a final candidate. 

Hiring OCPA’s first director will move the system into its next phase, including building the staff and day-to-day operations of the new office. As someone who previously chaired the Citizen Review Committee, and as someone who worked with many dedicated Portlanders on the ballot measure that created this office, I’m excited that we’re getting closer to have the OCPA up and fully running. But we have to stay rooted in the long, difficult fight it took us to have an Office of Community-based Police Accountability in the first place 

After the murder of George Floyd, Portlanders joined the rest of the country in the historical call for greater accountability, transparency, and urgency in addressing racial inequity and police brutality. In 2020, 82% of Portland voters cast their support for the creation of a new, stronger police accountability and oversight system centered on community voices. That new system is housed in the Office of Community-based Police Accountability.  

82% of Portlanders said we need a cultural change in our public safety system. Six years out, we still haven’t fully delivered on that promise.  

That’s why I defended OCPA when councilors tried to cut its budget earlier this year. And that’s why I’m hoping to see you at the Portland Building. 

Learn more and find out how to participate portland.gov/OCPADirectorhiring 

Renters haven’t always had a voice or friendly ear in City Hall. That’s changed, and next Tuesday, September 15, at 2:00 pm, the Housing and Permitting Committee is opening up the floor to hear directly from Portland renters at the Renter’s Feedback Forum. 

Portland renters bear the burden of our housing crisis: More than 50% of Portland renters were cost burdened in 2023, and a quarter of those renters paid 50% or more of their income in rent. We’ve heard how the rising costs of everyday goods and utilities only squeeze renters more, meaning many Portlanders are only one emergency away from losing their home. If that wasn’t enough, we also know that renters often are left to advocate for themselves when they have an issue with their landlord. 

We want to hear what’s working, and where the city can do better in supporting Portlanders who rent. Maintenance requests that go unanswered? Unexpected inspections? Rising rents that have forced move after move? This is your chance to share your experiences and perspectives with the elected officials who represent you. 

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the meeting: this is just the first of many conversations with Portland renters that will inform our City’s housing policies and priorities. 

Candace Call to Action: SIGN UP to testify in person or virtually on the Housing and Permitting Committee webpage when the agenda goes live this Friday, September 11th. 

Instead of the usual, single winner voting system, they could select and rank up to SIX candidates that resonated with them. 

This year, both the City and County will be using ranked choice voting to elect city and county government officials. That means that you can rank up to six choices in whatever order you want. Importantly, your vote will still count even if your first choice doesn’t get elected: Fair Vote found that an average of 84% of Portlanders ranked a winning council member from their district in 2024. 

RCV is a crucial part in building a government that looks like Portland: more representative and more responsive to everyone who calls our city home.  

On Saturday, September 19, 9 am - 3 pm at the Chop Chop Food Pod Parking Lot, get rid of those things you’ve been meaning to get out of the house at Pleasant Valley NA’s Community Dumpster Day. They’re also looking for volunteers! 

If you have more questions or want to volunteer, email Ronda at Rondaj@cnncoalition.org or call at 971-438-8736. See a flyer here.

What can go in the dumpsters or be recycled? 

• Household items- dishes, pots, pans, etc. 

• Furniture, curtains  

• Old toys, reuseable items 

• Household miscellanea 

• Metal 

• Mattresses + Box Springs 

• Electronics (except for CRTs, they can’t take Big Screen/Tube TVs) 

What can't be taken? 

• Large amounts of construction or home renovation materials 

• Other hazardous waste (gasoline, chemicals, oil, paint, tar, animal waste, etc.) 

• Under-the-sink chemicals and cleaners 

• Tires 

• CRTs (older tube TVs or monitors) 

• CFL bulbs (no tubes or broken lights)