Oregon troopers end 2-week protest duty

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon troopers are leaving Portland after a two-week assignment to help protect a federal courthouse that’s been a target of protesters during months of conflict in Oregon’s largest city.

The state police agency is “continually reassessing our resources and the needs of our partner agencies and at this time we are inclined to move those resources back to counties where prosecution of criminal conduct is still a priority,” Capt. Timothy Fox told television stations Thursday. “Last night was our last night in Portland.”

Nights of unrest that increasingly targeted the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse previously prompted President Donald Trump to dispatch federal agents to guard the building in July, which reinvigorated Black Lives Matter demonstrations and often ended in violent clashes.

The federal agents started drawing down in late July under an agreement between the Department of Homeland Security and Democratic Gov. Kate Brown that included state troopers taking their place for two weeks.

It wasn’t clear what the state police departure will mean as demonstrations continue against police violence and racial injustice. Fox said his agency will reassess if Portland police need assistance.

Earlier this week, newly elected Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt decided not to prosecute people arrested for nonviolent misdemeanors. Since the protests began, more than 500 people have been arrested. So far, fewer than 50 are being prosecuted.