Eugene
Medford, local police facing suits after homeless camp sweep
MEDFORD, Ore. — Eight people arrested by the Medford Police Department during a recent homeless camp sweep say they plan to sue the city, its police department and Jackson County.
Attorney Justin Rosas, who represents the arrestees, called the arrests unconstitutional, disputing the park was ever closed to the public to justify trespassing charges.
In a statement, and in tort claims obtained by Oregon Public Broadcasting, Rosas said arrestees were denied medication, harassed and held for hours after posting bail at the Jackson County Jail. The Associated Press has emailed county Sheriff Nathan Sickler seeking comment.
Rosas said the lawsuit’s goal is to provoke better treatment of people living outside in southern Oregon.
Around 8 a.m. on Sept. 22, about two dozen Medford police officers evicted people who had set up camp at the city’s Hawthorne Park.
Police arrested 11 people, including Jefferson Public Radio reporter April Ehrlich. Most were cited for trespassing, except two who were arrested on outstanding warrants and Ehrlich, who also faces charges of interfering with a police officer and resisting arrest.
-
Crime & Safety1 week agoSchooI empIoyee dies after attempting to prevent a 14-year-oId who wanted to Ieave a residentiaI buiIding without permission, only to be struck by the girI, causing fataI injuries: police
-
Crime & Safety1 week agoWoman who cIaims she doesn’t remember kiIIing her father years ago, saying her mother told her she did, now kiIIed the eIderIy woman minutes after the victim caIIed 911 and told the dispatcher her famiIy member was being vioIent: police
-
Eugene1 week agoEugene Springfield Fire responds to early morning structure fire in west Eugene
-
Eugene1 week agoEugene police investigate report of suspicious man following juvenile girls in Tugman Park
-
Eugene7 days agoEugene firefighters contain garage fire on Sarah Lane
-
Eugene1 week agoEugene police arrest five individuals for DUII over the weekend
-
Eugene7 days agoEugene firefighters respond to structure fire in University District
-
Crime & Safety3 days agoMom cIaims she ‘Iost it’ when her 6-year-old disabIed chiId began sIamming his head on the fIoor and became vioIent before she pressed her hands on his throat as hard as she could and continued untiI he became Iifeless: police
