Portland mayor bans police use of tear gas to disperse crowds
(Worthy News) – Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler banned the local police department from using tear gas even though the city has experienced ongoing protests and unrest for the past three months.
“It’s time for everyone to reduce the violence in our community,” he said in a statement on Thursday. “We all want change. We all have the opportunity and obligation to create change. We all want to focus on the fundamental issue at hand – justice for Black people and all people of color. That’s why, as Police Commissioner, effective immediately and until further notice, I am directing the Portland Police to end the use of CS gas for crowd control.”
Wheeler also praised the Oregon Legislative Assembly and its Joint Committee on Transparent Policing and Use of Force Reform for “conven[ing] experts to evaluate the use of gas and what safer alternatives may exist that prevent the need for greater force.” [ Source: Washington Examiner (Read More…) ]