Dear Mayor Adams and members of City Council:

At the most recent meeting of the Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association, concerns were raised about Commissioner Leonard’s proposal that Water Bureau security personnel be armed. Since Mt. Tabor Park is within the boundaries of Mt. Tabor neighborhood, those who live in the neighborhood would be affected by a decision to arm Water Bureau security personnel as would anyone who uses Mt. Tabor Park. Among our concerns, but certainly not limited to those listed below, are whether or not armed guards are truly justified, the potential for serious harm to innocent people, the potential for the escalation of minor offenses when armed personnel are involved, and the overall message that having armed guards in an otherwise peaceful and tranquil environment sends to those using the park. In addition, no one in attendance at the neighborhood association meeting could recall any circumstance in memory, recent or otherwise, that warranted armed personnel unholstering their firearms at Mt. Tabor Park so we question the need to now arm Water Bureau personnel.

Commissioner Leonard’s statements to Janie Har of The Oregonian on October 15, 2009 (http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/10/armed_water_officers_portland.html) are misleading and seem to suggest that the City must approve guns for Water Bureau staff as part of the arrangement established with the EPA. We know of no such arrangement and don't believe there to be one, and Commissioner Leonard’s statements almost seem designed to manipulate acceptance of an unpopular idea (arming Water Bureau security personnel) on the backs of a popular idea (saving our reservoirs and the $800 million dollars it will cost to decommission them).

We respectfully ask each City Commissioner to review the security and risk management plans outlined in 2004 by the Reservoir Review Panel. The City has allocated funds for a number of security improvements at the in-town reservoirs specifically designed to address the real risks at the reservoirs. Our organization respectfully insists that all other, more cost-effective security options be exhausted before we consider spending scarce dollars arming Water Bureau staff.

Therefore, it is our request that no further action on this matter be taken until a complete and thorough public study has been completed to determine the efficacy and necessity of arming Water Bureau security personnel. We would further request that action on the arming of Water Bureau security personnel be removed from the city council’s consent agenda until such a public study has been completed and presented to the public.

Sincerely,

Bruce Treat

President, Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association