Friends of Portland Street Response

City Council moves forward with proposal to expand Portland Street Response kptv.com/2025/04/23/cit…

On Tue, April 1 – District 4 (West & Sellwood area) will hold a budget listening session. Let them know you want to see PSR funded for 24/7 operations THIS YEAR! When: Tue, April 1 at 6 p.m. Where: Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Ave, Room 108 portland.gov/civic/events/2…

"A year later, the city faces a much bigger budget gap, yet no one is calling for funding cuts to the program. In fact, Portland Street Response (PSR) could finally be on a path to serve more people in need." portlandmercury.com/news/2025/03/1…

"Last year as the city faced a budget deficit, Portland Street Response was fighting for its existence." "With faltering support for the program within City Hall, Friends of Portland Street Response was formed...to convey public support for PSR and demand accountability"

History of Portland Street Response October 2021 - Portland Mercury | Study: Portland Street Response Effective at Resolving Non-Violent 911 Calls portlandmercury.com/news/2021/10/0…

History of Portland Street Response October 2021 – Portland Monthly: Portland Street Response Gets an A on Its Report Card pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-…

The History of Portland Street Response October 2021 - Associated Press | Researchers: Portland should expand non-police response unit apnews.com/article/oregon…

History of Portland Street Response May 2021 - Portland Mercury | City Council Votes Against Fully Funding Portland Street Response in 2021-22 Budget portlandmercury.com/news/2021/05/1…

With the announcement that Portland Street Response is expanding, it's important to remember that you request Portland Street Response by calling 911. PSR currently operates citywide from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week.

This announcement, regardless of opinion, continues a trend of recent years where PSR policy decisions are made behind closed doors with little to no community or Council input. Friends of PSR is looking forward to being part of the ongoing work to ensure PSR's success.

Representative with PSRs union to OPB: “...staff have worked hard to build trusted relationships with people living outside. She said some of those unhoused people are fearful or distrustful of the police, and having PSR partner with police could impact the trust they’ve built.”

Overall Friends of PSR applauds the big announcement on PSR. More call types & voluntarily transport to services furthers PSR's development as a branch of our first-response system. We are concerned about potential increased proximity to law enforcement activities. 🧵⬇️

Independent evaluations have warned against involving PSR in enforcement activities, such as sweeps, which would erode PSR’s ability to maintain trust with community members in crisis. That trust is vital to ensuring PSR’s long term success. We hope City leaders will listen. 🧵⬇️

History of Portland Street Response February 2021 - @KATUNews: Portland Street Response team launches Feb. 16, will help respond to certain 911 calls katu.com/news/local/por…

The History of Portland Street Response September 2020: @oregonian: Much-touted alternative first responder program now expected to launch a year late oregonlive.com/portland/2020/…

The History of Portland Street Response Before Portland Street Response ever began responding to 911 calls back in 2019, the Portland Police Association politicized and opposed an updated, modern first response system. wweek.com/news/city/2019…

The History of Portland Street Response May 2020 - @Oregonian: "Portland’s homeless first responder pilot delayed indefinitely by coronavirus" oregonlive.com/portland/2020/…