Following the bloody attacks by Antifa and Black Lives Matter rioters in Portland, Democrat officials chose to not prosecute criminals. Instead, their left-wing agenda defund the police department and put boots-on-the-ground officers in liberal crosshairs. In protest to a decorated public servant who was indicted for striking an Antifa aggressor while the city burned, its Rapid Response Team (RRT) routinely called the “riot squad,” resigned. Upwards of 50 members of the elite group who put themselves in harm’s way on the frontlines have had enough.
“Our RRT members do not volunteer to have Molotov cocktails, fireworks, explosives, rocks, bottles, urine, feces, and other dangerous objects thrown at them,” Portland Police Association President Daryl Turner reportedly stated. “Nor do they volunteer to have threats of rape, murder, and assaults on their families hurled at them. They do not volunteer to suffer serious injuries, to be subjected to warrantless criticism and face allegations by elected officials, or to suffer through baseless complaints and lengthy investigations devoid of due process.”
The Portland Police Association criticized Mayor Ted Wheeler for using the riot team as pawns in a political checkers game to pacify his radical liberal voting base. Prosecutors continue to drop charges against violent Antifa and Black Lives Matter members following solid arrests. Reports indicate that prosecutors sided with an individual clad in traditional Antifa gear who was struck while the riot team cleared a burning city street. The individual somehow persuaded Democrat officials she was an “independent” journalist despite being in the middle of the fray. Not only did city officials drop the charges, but they also awarded the agitator $50,000 in damages.
“After nearly 75 consecutive nights of violence, destruction, and mayhem, a small group of RRT officers — including Officer (Corey) Budworth — were again tasked with dealing with the riot,” the police association reportedly stated. “Per PPB Command Staff orders, RRT officers cleared the rioters from the area to allow the Fire Bureau to extinguish the blaze.”
Mayor Wheeler has been forced to plead with fellow Democrats such as Oregon Governor Kate Brown to send additional support as Antifa thugs continue to commit arson, vandalism, assault innocent bystanders, and attack police officers with brick, bats, pipes, and firebombs. The question remains whether or not State Troopers, who are essentially being conscripted to deal with the endless violence, will put their careers on the line. They will likely be the next target of Democrat politicians trying to score points with police-hating extremists.
The crime rates in Portland are reportedly 131 percent above the national average and violent crime ranks 44 percent higher. Statistically, rape, robbery, and assault far outpace most other cities. The number of property crimes more than doubles the national average and over 34,000 incidents were reported in a single year. Before rioters began burning, looting, and attacking residents, the Democrat stronghold was regarded as the third most dangerous city in America.
It appears the gross mistreatment and disrespect of the brave men and women of the Portland PD has ramifications Democrats had not considered. The riot squad has effectively defunded the left-wing politicians that support criminals.
