Arrr, me hearties! Portland's bike squad be facin' a blimey 'explosion' o' drug use, aye, a fentanyl nexus, ye scurvy dogs!
2023-09-23
Arr, as Portland be grapplin' with a mighty "explosion" o' open-air drug use, Fox News sailed along with the police bureau's bike squad. 'Tis what we spied in the City o' Roses, me hearties!
Officer David Baer of the Portland Police Bureau's bike squad is dealing with a surge in open-air drug use since the decriminalization of personal-use amounts of all drugs in Oregon. Baer encounters various infractions, such as public drinking and drug possession. Despite the seriousness of these offenses, Baer humorously hands out $100 tickets to offenders, offering them a quick way out. The spike in drug use has led Baer and his team to focus on policing fentanyl, which has become a major problem in the area. The team arrests suspected drug dealers and issues citations for drug possession. Baer reflects on the irony of giving someone a traffic ticket for smoking fentanyl on the sidewalk. Homelessness and drug overdose deaths have also increased in recent years, leading to criticism of permissive laws. The city and state have made small reversals, but problems persist. Despite these challenges, Baer and his team receive positive feedback from the community, including business owners and even some of the individuals they arrest. The bike squad's accessibility on the streets has contributed to this positive interaction. The relationship between the police and the community has improved compared to a few years ago when there was more hostility towards law enforcement. Overall, Baer and his team continue to work tirelessly to address the drug problem in Portland while maintaining a humorous and approachable demeanor.