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2. Property on which or within 200 feet of which any Person Associated
With the Property has engaged in three or more Nuisance Activities during any
thirty (30) day period; or,
3. Property which, upon request for execution of a search warrant, has
been the subject of a determination by a court that probable cause that
possession, manufacture, or delivery of a controlled substance or related
offenses as defined in ORS 167.203, 475.005 through 475.285 and/or 475.940
through 475.995 has occurred within the previous thirty (30) days, and the
Chief of Police or a Precinct Commander has determined that the search warrant
was based on evidence of continuous or repeated Nuisance Activities at the
Property; or,
4. Property on which continuous or repeated Nuisance Activities as
defined in Portland City Code 14B.60.010 D.7.,8.,13., and/or 14. exist or have
occurred.
B. Commissioner in Charge. The Portland City Commissioner assigned
responsibility for the Bureau of Police.
C. Control. The ability to regulate, restrain, dominate, counteract or
govern Property, or conduct that occurs on a Property.
D. Nuisance Activities. Any of the following activities, behaviors or
conduct:
1. Harassment as defined in ORS 166.065(1)(a).
2. Intimidation as defined in ORS 166.155 through 166.165.
3. Disorderly conduct as defined in ORS 166.025.
4. Assault or menacing as defined in ORS 163.160 through ORS
163.190.
5. Sexual abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, or sexual
misconduct as defined in ORS 163.415 through ORS 163.445.
6. Public indecency as defined in ORS 163.465.
7. Prostitution or related offenses as defined in ORS 167.007 through
ORS 167.017.
8. Alcoholic liquor violations as defined in ORS Chapter 471.105
through 471.482.
9. Offensive littering as defined in ORS 164.805.
10. Criminal trespass as defined in ORS 164.243 through 164.265.
11. Theft as defined in ORS 164.015 through 164.140.
12. Arson or related offenses as defined in ORS 164.315 through
164.335.
13. Possession, manufacture, or delivery of a controlled substance or
related offenses as defined in ORS 167.203, ORS 475.005 through 475.285,
and/or 475.940 through 475.995.
14. Illegal gambling as defined in ORS 167.117, and/or ORS 167.122
through ORS 167.127.
15. Criminal mischief as defined in ORS 164.345 through 164.365.
16. Any attempt to commit (as defined in ORS 161.405), and/or
conspiracy to commit (as defined in ORS 161.450), any of the above activities,
behaviors or conduct.
17. Fire or discharge of a firearm as defined in Portland City Code
14A.60.020.
18. Unlawful operation of sound producing or reproducing equipment as
defined in Portland City Code 14A.30.010 and/or excessive noise as defined in
Portland City Code Chapters 18.04 and/or 18.14.
19. Unlawful drinking in public places as defined in Portland City Code
14A.50.010.
20. Curfew as defined in Portland City Code 14A.80.010.
21. Indecent exposure as defined in Portland City Code
14A.40.030.
E. Person. Any natural person, agent, association, firm, partnership,
corporation or other entity capable of owning, occupying or using Property in
the City of Portland.
F. Person Associated With. Any Person who, on the occasion of a Nuisance
Activity, has entered, patronized, visited, or attempted to enter, patronize or
visit, or waited to enter, patronize or visit a Property or Person present on a
Property, including without limitation any officer, director, customer, agent,
employee, or any independent contractor of a Property, Person in Charge, or
owner of a Property.
G. Person in Charge. Any Person, in actual or constructive possession of
a Property, including but not limited to an owner or occupant of Property under
his or her ownership or Control.
H. Precinct Commander. Any Commander of the Portland Police Bureau in
charge of a Precinct.
I. Property. Any property, including land and that which is affixed,
incidental or appurtenant to land, including but not limited to any business or
residence, parking area, loading area, landscaping, building or structure or any
separate part, unit or portion thereof, or any business equipment, whether or
not permanent. For Property consisting of more than one unit, Property may be
limited to the unit or the portion of the Property on which any Nuisance
Activity has occurred or is occurring, but includes areas of the Property used
in common by all units of Property including without limitation other structures
erected on the Property and areas used for parking, loading and
landscaping.
14B.60.020 Violation.
A. Any Property determined by the Chief of Police or a Precinct Commander
to be Chronic Nuisance Property is in violation of this Chapter and subject to
its remedies.
B. Any Person in Charge of Property determined by the Chief of Police
or a Precinct Commander to be a Chronic Nuisance Property is in violation of
this Chapter and subject to its remedies.
14B.60.030 Procedure.
A. When the Chief of Police or a Precinct Commander receives two or more
police reports documenting the occurrence of Nuisance Activities on or within
200 feet of a Property, the Chief of Police or Precinct Commander shall
independently review such reports to determine whether they describe the
activities, behaviors or conduct enumerated under Portland City Code 14B.60.010
D.1.-21. Upon such a finding, the Chief of Police or a Precinct Commander may
notify the Person in Charge in writing that the Property is in danger of
becoming Chronic Nuisance Property. The notice shall contain the following
information:
1. The street address or a legal description sufficient for
identification of the Property.
2. A statement that the Chief of Police or Precinct Commander has
information that the Property may be Chronic Nuisance Property, with a concise
description of the Nuisance Activities that exist, or that have occurred. The
Chief of Police or the Precinct Commander shall offer the Person in Charge an
opportunity to propose a course of action that the Chief of Police or the
Precinct Commander agrees will abate the Nuisance Activities giving rise to
the violation.
3. Demand that the Person in Charge respond to the Chief of Police
or the Precinct Commander within ten (10) days to discuss the Nuisance
Activities.
B. When the Chief of Police or Precinct Commander receives a police
report documenting the occurrence of additional Nuisance Activity on or within
200 feet of a Property after notification as provided by Portland City Code
14B.60.030 A.1.; or, in the case of Chronic Nuisance Property as defined in
Portland City Code 14B.60.010 A.3. or 4., for which notice under Portland City
Code 14B.60.030A is not required, the Chief of Police or the Precinct Commander
shall notify the Person in Charge in writing that the Property has been
determined to be a Chronic Nuisance Property. The notice shall contain the
following information:
1. The street address or a legal description sufficient for
identification of the Property.
2. A statement that the Chief of Police or the Precinct Commander
has determined the Property to be Chronic Nuisance Property with a concise
description of the Nuisance Activities leading to his/her determination.
3. Demand that the Person in Charge respond within ten (10) days to
the Chief of Police or the Precinct Commander and propose a course of action
that the Chief of Police or the Precinct Commander agrees will abate the
Nuisance Activities giving rise to the violation.
4. Service shall be made either personally or by first class mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed to the Person in Charge
at the address of the Property determined to be a Chronic Nuisance Property,
or such other place which is likely to give the Person in Charge notice of the
determination by the Chief of Police or the Precinct Commander.
5. A copy of the notice shall be served on the owner at the address
shown on the tax rolls of the county in which the Property is located, and/or
the occupant at the address of the Property, if these Persons are different
than the Person in Charge, and shall be made either personally or by first
class mail, postage prepaid.
C. If the Person in Charge fails to respond as required by Portland
City Code 14B.60.030 B.3., the Chief of Police or the Precinct Commander may
refer the matter to the Commissioner in Charge and the City Attorney. Prior to
referring the matter to the Commissioner in Charge and the City Attorney, the
notice required by Portland City Code 14B.60.030 B. shall also be posted at the
property.
D. If the Person in Charge responds as required by Portland City Code
14B.60.030 B.3. and agrees to abate Nuisance Activities giving rise to the
violation, the Chief of Police or the Precinct Commander may postpone referring
the matter to the Commissioner in Charge and the City Attorney. If an agreed
course of action does not result in the abatement of the Nuisance Activities
within sixty (60) days; or, if no agreement concerning abatement is reached
within sixty (60) days, the Chief of Police or the Precinct Commander may refer
the matter to the Commissioner in Charge and the City Attorney.
E. When a Person in Charge makes a response to the Chief of Police or
the Precinct Commander as required by Portland City Code 14B.60.030 A.3. or B.3.
any conduct or statements made in connection with the furnishing of that
response shall not constitute an admission that any Nuisance Activities have
occurred or are occurring. This Subsection does not require the exclusion of any
evidence which is otherwise admissible or offered for any other purpose.
F. The failure of any Person to receive notice as provided by Portland
City Code 14B.60.030 A. or B. shall not invalidate or otherwise affect the
proceedings under this Chapter.
14B.60.040 Commencement of Actions; Remedies; Burden of Proof.
A. The Commissioner in Charge may authorize the City Attorney to commence
legal proceedings in the Circuit Court to abate Chronic Nuisance Property and to
seek closure, the imposition of civil penalties against any or all of the
Persons in Charge thereof, and, any other relief deemed appropriate.
B. If the Court determines Property to be Chronic Nuisance Property, the
Court shall order that the Property be closed and secured against all
unauthorized access, use and occupancy for a period of not less than six (6)
months, nor more than one (1) year. The order shall be entered as part of the
final judgment. The Court shall retain jurisdiction during any period of
closure.
C. If the Court determines a Property to be Chronic Nuisance Property,
the Court may impose a civil penalty of up to $100 per day for each day Nuisance
Activities occurred on the Property, following notice pursuant to Portland City
Code 14B.60.030 B.; or, the cost to the City to abate the Nuisance Activities at
the Property whichever is greater. The amount of the civil penalty shall be
assessed against the Person in Charge and/or the Property and may be included in
the City’s money judgment.
D. If satisfied of the good faith of the Person in Charge, the Court
shall not award civil penalties if the Court finds that the Person in Charge at
all material times could not, in the exercise of reasonable care or diligence,
determine that the Property had become Chronic Nuisance Property.
E. In establishing the amount of any civil penalty, the Court may
consider any of the following factors and shall cite those found applicable:
1. The actions taken by the Person in Charge to mitigate or correct
the Nuisance Activities at the Property;
2. The financial condition of the Person in Charge;
3. Repeated or continuous nature of the problem;
4. The magnitude or gravity of the problem;
5. The cooperation of the Person in Charge with the City;
6. The cost to the City of investigating and correcting or attempting
to correct the Nuisance Activities;
7. Any other factor deemed relevant by the Court.
F. The City shall have the initial burden of proof to show by a
preponderance of the evidence that the Property is Chronic Nuisance
Property.
G. Evidence of a Property’s general reputation and/or the reputation of
persons residing in or frequenting it shall be admissible.
14B.60.050 Summary Closure.
Any summary closure proceeding shall be based on evidence showing that
Nuisance Activities exist or have occurred on the Property and that emergency
action is necessary to avoid an immediate threat to public welfare and safety.
Proceedings to obtain an order of summary closure shall be governed by the
provisions of ORCP 79 for obtaining temporary restraining orders. In the event
of summary closure, the City is not required to comply with the notification
procedures set forth in Portland City Code 14B.60.030 A. and
B.
14B.60.060 Enforcement.
A. The Court may authorize the City to physically secure the Property
against all unauthorized access, use or occupancy in the event that the Person
in Charge fails to do so within the time specified by the Court. In the event
that the City is authorized to secure the Property, the City shall recover all
costs reasonably incurred by the City to physically secure the Property as
provided by this Section. The City Bureau(s) physically securing the Property
shall prepare a statement of costs and the City shall thereafter submit that
statement to the Court for its review as provided by ORCP 68.
B. The Person in Charge shall pay reasonable relocation costs of a
tenant as defined by ORS 90.100(28), if, without actual notice, the tenant moved
into the Property after either:
1. A Person in Charge received notice of the determination of the
Chief of Police or any Precinct Commander pursuant to Portland City Code
14B.60.030 B.; or
2. A Person in Charge received notice of an action brought pursuant
to Portland City Code 14B.60.050.
C. A lien shall be created against the Property for the amount of the
City’s money judgment. In addition, any Person who is assessed penalties under
Portland City Code 14B.60.040 C. and/or costs under Portland City Code
14B.60.060 A. shall be personally liable for payment thereof to the City.
Judgments imposed by this Chapter shall bear interest at the statutory
rate.
14B.60.070 Attorney Fees.
The Court may, in its discretion, award attorneys’ fees to the prevailing
party.
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