Outrage as Portland jail makes shock move in wake of new rules banning homeless camps

A Portland county jail has refused to book a homeless man who allegedly refused to move or take an offer of shelter despite bans on public property camping. 

Alasdair Macdonald became the first man to be arrested by the Portland Police Bureau for unlawful camping near Northeast 28th Avenue and Alberta Street last Friday. 

According to officials, both the police and city outreach workers had spoken with Macdonald 'several times' and warned him that if he doesn't accept shelter, he may be arrested. 

In an interview, the accused revealed that on the day of his arrest, his camp was surrounded by deputies who also offered him a tiny home to relocate to. 

'I woke up to the police. They had me surrounded. They offered me a tiny home. 

'I would like to think about that but there was no time to think about it. The option was "jail or tiny home", MacDonald told KOIN6.

Officials later clarified that the accused refused to move into a shelter and as a result, was taken to Multnomah County Detention Center for violating the city's camping rules. 

But instead of being charged and booked into jail, he was cited and released by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. 

'I was arrested but I wasn't booked in. There was no crime,' Macdonald later recalled. 

Deputy John Plock, a spokesperson for the office, told Willamette Week that 'jail staff do not book people arrested for violating city rules, only those accused of committing misdemeanor or felony offenses under state law'.

Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O'Donnell also clarified that the executive decision to not book Macdonald was not a one time thing but a policy that she believes in.

'As the elected official charged with managing the jail, I believe we need to utilize the corrections system as a place for people who pose a genuine danger to the public and that does not include individuals whose only offense is living unsheltered,' O'Donnell told KGW8. 

She further assured citizens: 'Our communications with the Mayor’s office pertaining to the Public Camping Ordinance began in Spring 2023 and clearly outlined city ordinance violations as not bookable and being eligible for citations only.

'I will not be directing the Sheriff’s Office to book any individual on city ordinance violations.'  

Once the accused was let go, Mayor Ted Wheeler said in a statement that he was very disappointed by the Sheriff's decision. 

'I am disappointed by the Sheriff’s decision to refuse to book individuals arrested for violating the law.  

'I am deeply concerned by this disconnect and what it may mean for future efforts to improve public safety,' the mayor told Fox News. 

According to the city's latest rules, camping is prohibited on public property only if shelter beds are available on an given day or night. 

In the case there are no beds available, people are allowed to camp but cannot light fires, use propane heaters or block access to private property, among other restrictions.