Politics aren't my field. I spend my time studying true crime, crime data, law and order procedures and tactics, and everything under the crime "umbrella." So, I'm going to be analyzing this situation from a law and order perspective, not a political one. Some people think deploying federal agents to Portland(and other major cities) is a political tactic. I don't know if it is or isn't. To me, that question is irrelevant. The question is: is this the right move from a law and order standpoint, and if not, what is?
Rioting has been going on in Portland just shy of 60 straight days, every single day. I've seen the videos and I've seen the footage. These are things publications can't cover up. I've seen the fires, I've seen the use of explosives, I've seen the destruction, and the violence, and the vandalism. I don't think any sane person would disagree that this cannot continue. It does no one of any race, religion, gender any good.
Every night, a mob of people storm the Portland courthouse and attempt to loot it and burn it down. Police haven't been allowed to intervene to any meaningful capacity. We've seen in other cities over the last couple months that if allowed, buildings will burn, will be looted, and will be destroyed. All buildings should be protected, especially our federal institutions. This is a courthouse. A society without law and order cannot and will not function. The courthouse is an important building and it must be protected.
If using federal authority to help quell these acts isn't the right answer, then what is? Local law enforcement in Portland either is unwilling or incapable of doing so. If they were able, this would not still be going on almost 60 days strong. People were against the use of the national guard and military during the other riots of the last several weeks, so apparently people won't be on board with that either. SWAT is a special unit which uses military-level equipment, which is similar with the national guard, so they certainly would voice the same complaints they would with SWAT. So, what other options are there to do right now, this moment in time, in the immediacy, to stop the destruction and violence? I don't see any other answers. The federal courthouse in Portland is federal property, and federal agents have the right to defend it. Have they been perfect in conducting their authority? No, but in such a crazy time right now, very few solutions will go smoothly. Allowing this madness is in no way acceptable, for any reason.
There are a lot of falsities being put out there by the media and on social media. Complaints about the agents using tear gas, using unmarked vehicles, and not reading people their Miranda rights when they are detained. None of these tactics are technically unlawful given the circumstances, assuming the people detained have committed acts of violence and/or vandalism. Now, while detaining someone committing these acts may have bad optics, if reports are true that they are using these methods because A) Agents were being doxxed through their identification and their home addresses were being posted online putting their families' lives in danger and B) Anyone detained is being either transported safely to a calmer location or being lawfully put in a jail, I have no problems with it. Again, if those reports are indeed true. Miranda rights are not legally required to place someone under arrest, despite some suggesting the contrary.
Regardless, I don't see a better alternative than federal agents right this moment. Ideally, local law enforcement would deal with it themselves, but since that isn't happening, this is the next best thing. I believe those who want to sow division and discord in our society right now are pushing this agenda that this is a "totalitarian movement" for a reason. The more anger they can generate in the public, the more support they get. The more support they get, the better chances they can use sheer will to enforce their agenda. I believe that the peaceful protestors just want equality and social justice. Those people are not the individuals trying to burn down federal buildings. The people causing destruction are a different beast. They are self-proclaimed Marxists who want to start a revolution in America. Why they want to do this? I have my theories, which I'll save for another time, but it's pretty apparent to me at least through their actions, voices, messages, and posts that this is the goal. To destroy capitalism, our entire law and order system, and rebuild it with values they(and they alone) value.
The majority of America(and citizens of Portland) hate what is going on in their city. Unfortunately, it's not going to stop until law and order starts cracking down and cracking down hard. The longer our leaders pander to a vocal and extreme minority, the worse it is going to get. These Portland riots going on close to 60 days are proof of this. As was Chaz, in Seattle. It started off like a "block party" until things got out of control and innocent people were murdered within its confines. Not until mayor Jenny Durkan's personal property was threatened, was law enforcement finally allowed to crack down. When that happened, local law enforcement moved in, and retook the area rather peacefully within a day. Mayor Ted Wheeler is just as cowardly. He marched with rioters the other night, and stood there while his own citizens threw explosives, projectiles, and set fire to a federal courthouse. Attempted arson in his presence, a very serious crime, went on totally unfettered. Almost as some pathetic attempt to get people who despise him and always will despise him(because he's not one of them) to like him. This stunt was rewarded with bottles and trash thrown at him as people chanted "Fuck Ted Wheeler" while he was whisked away by security into the night.
It appears, much like Jenny Durkan, he isn't going to step up and do what's necessary until bodies start dropping. By then, it's too little too late. The families of these loved ones will never get them back. Until then, analyzing all options, I believe federal agents being brought in is the best option. And if that makes me "wrong" in the eyes of people because it happens to be in the same line of thinking as the president, then so be it. I will always call it how I see it. Whether or not it aligns with Trump's agenda means nothing to me. I want what's best for the city of Portland, and the majority of the people in the city who are not taking part in this madness who are afraid to go outside and want their city to stop burning and get back to normal. Ironically, the solution to all of this is the simplest solution of all. Stop rioting. Stop burning things, stop attacking federal buildings, stop throwing projectiles at cops, stop destroying property. Either go home, or protest peacefully. Then, everyone will be happy and will be able to exist peacefully together. In the real world, where law and order is paramount, action is met with action. The sad lesson learned here is if you let a problem fester, it will only grow greater. If local law enforcement was allowed to put this to bed weeks ago, it would never have come to this. Hopefully this is a lesson learned for all, but in the world of political agendas, I doubt such is the case.
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