Portland, Oregon police officers will no longer respond in person to calls about many crimes that aren't threatening lives or physical safety, saying that taking crime reports by telephone may decrease opportunities for officers to contract or spread COVID-19.
"We value our face-to-face interactions with the public, but recognize the need to do our part to protect the public and our members," Police Chief Chief Jami Resch said in a statement. "We will continue to keep the public informed with relevant information and we appreciate the public's understanding of our need to limit face-to-face contacts for the benefit of all."
The bureau's statement didn't specify which crimes would qualify as dangerous enough to warrant an in-person response. But a police spokesman told The Oregonian that officers would still respond to sexual assaults, armed robberies, fistfights and home invasions, among other incidents.
"We value our face-to-face interactions with the public, but recognize the need to do our part to protect the public and our members," Police Chief Chief Jami Resch said in a statement. "We will continue to keep the public informed with relevant information and we appreciate the public's understanding of our need to limit face-to-face contacts for the benefit of all."
The bureau's statement didn't specify which crimes would qualify as dangerous enough to warrant an in-person response. But a police spokesman told The Oregonian that officers would still respond to sexual assaults, armed robberies, fistfights and home invasions, among other incidents.
