Petition to demilitarize Portland Police advocates end of military-style training and weapons on the force

evergreen_web_banner.png

KBOO is open to the public! To visit the station, contact your staff person or call 503-231-8032.


Hosted by: 
Produced by: 
KBOO
Air date: 
Tue, 11/24/2020 - 5:30pm to 5:45pm

 

A local petition to demilitarize the Portland Police has been gaining traction, with signers including veterans groups, faith-based communities and environmental advocates. 

KBOO's Ethan Sandweiss spoke with Alison Cole, the petition's administrator about what demilitarization of the police would look like, where military-style police and equipment come from and how demilitarization would benefit the Portland community.

Related links:

Demilitarize the Portland Police petition

Download audio file

Comments

The USA and Oregon do not have enough crime to need so many police, let alone so much weaponry for war. The police do not protect or serve us anyway. I think the US government should look at an armed services branch, like the army, take its military police, and expand it to replace all the current police departments with a new and better civilian police. One that has better order and answers straight to the government.

I don't want it to be martial law as a desperate act toward crime and disorder. I hope it could be an alternative to the kind of "law enforcement" that we've got. One that is more ethical, intelligent, functional and helpful, and less armed, less insane, and not prone to discrimination against race, color, gender or disability.

Audio by Topic: