So what are some things to look out for in the proposed Multnomah County budget?

We are focusing on the budgets of the Sheriff's Office, Department of Community Justice, and the District Attorney's Office.

The Sherriff's Office is asking for a $6.4 million increase to their budget.

This includes funding for School and Community Resource Officer program. Chair Deborah Kafoury made an amendment to cut this program by 5% but we're asking to defund entirely.

The Sheriff is asking for over $44 million to maintain capacity at Inverness County Jail, a medium-security jail in Portland.

Inverness Jail reduced its bookings by 30% since March, yet they're requesting another $1.1 Million to keep Jail Dorm 15, with 73 beds, from closing.

Sheriff's Office is asking to fund Homeless Outreach and Programs Engagement Team (HOPE)

Further criminalizes houselessness by coupling social services with law enforcment. Outreach results in arrests and sweeps, driving people into cycles of punishment, surveillance, and debt.

Department of Community Justice includes funding for Juvenile East Multnomah Gang Enforcement Team.

As evident from the Gun Violence Reduction Team gang policing increases opportunity for racial profiling, surveillance and police violence.

Department of Community Justice also funds the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Facility.

We ask the county to commit to ending youth incarceration by rejecting funding for this facility.

Funding is also for Adult Electronic Monitoring.

This is NOT a solution to incarcerating people. It restricts ability to: earn income, parent, access legal resources and healthcare.

It also intensifies police presence & surveillance and can cost up to $600/month FOR wearer.

In the District Attorney's Office there is a a proposed $3.7 million increase.

This includes money for body-worn cameras for Gresham Police.

Although body cameras are said to increase accountability they do little to address the core issue and only increase surveillence.

The DA's budget also includes the Neighborhood District Attorney Program.

Neighborhood DA program allows for coordination between PPB, business associations, and neighborhood associations to address "livability issues" (i.e. how to criminalize homelessness)

The Neighborhood District Attorney Program has an agreement with the Lloyd Enhanced Services District (Business Improvement District) which pays for prosecutors and "community courts".

TriMet also has an agreement with the Neighborhood DA Program to further police transit.

Where should the money go?

In order for the community to have real control over how money is spent, diverted funds should be set aside for participatory budgeting processes.

You can learn more about participatory budgeting here: https://www.pboregon.org/