EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) -- Eugene Police is speaking out about its interactions with Occupy Eugene as a new report has been released detailing officers responses and observations at the Washington-Jefferson Park Camp.
The new report details about a month of interaction Eugene Police has had with Occupy Eugene on nearly a daily basis.
In all, the information takes up about 19 pages, documented at the Eugene Mayor and City Council’s request.
According to the report officers have responded to multiple calls for illegal open fires, physical assaults, cases of illicit drug and alcohol use and allegations of sexual assault.
Eugene Police Chief Pete Kerns spoke with KMTR NewsSource 16 over the phone Sunday, December 11th, 2011, about the report.
Chief Kerns says while there are peacekeepers at the encampment, the report shows a documented increase in violence and public safety threats. Chief Kerns says he’s concerned about the safety of people in the camp and officers.
“They are well intentioned and they're giving it every effort, but you'll read in the report that they're frustrated with the behavior that they're not able to manage,” said Chief Kerns about the peacekeepers at the Occupy Eugene camp.
“I would say as the Chief of Police, I am concerned about the people in the camp, and I am concerned about the safety of our officers who go in to the camp in order to protect people there, take police reports and fairly enforce the laws,” says Chief Kerns.
Chief Kerns added that communication remains on good terms with Occupy Eugene. He also says the camp has gotten people who normally only receive services to become more involved in helping others.
Occupy volunteers say they acknowledge problems in the camp. Sunday, occupiers were circulating individual pledges asking for good behavior in order to hold individuals more accountable.
“I have seen people that have stopped using their substances of addiction because they had the social support and the feeling that they were making a contribution here, and it’s really beautiful. And I hope that we're able to continue doing that, making those opportunities available,” said Sabra Marcroft, an Occupy Eugene protestor.
Eugene City Council meets Monday, December 12th, 2011 at 7 p.m. at City Council to discuss the future of the encampment’s exception to the city camping code. Currently, Occupy Eugene has until December 15th, 2011, in Washington Jefferson Park.
To read a full copy of the Occupy Eugene report gathered by Eugene Police, click the Read Police Report link.
