Apr. 11, 2023

The Oregonian/Oregon Live

The chief of Portland’s fire bureau has ordered its team of mental health professionals that replaced police in helping people experiencing crises on the streets to assist campers who need support during city-ordered homeless sweeps.

Fire Chief Sara Boone issued the directive Tuesday morning to the program manager of Portland Street Response, according to people familiar with the decision. Street Response teams will be required to help out at sweeps whenever city contractors or leaders at Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s new emergency command center ask them to, officials said.

https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2023/04/portland-street-response-must-assist-homeless-campers-in-crisis-during-sweeps-fire-chief-orders.html