Two weeks after federal law enforcement officials said they foiled a terrorist attack in downtown Portland, Mayor Sam Adams has responded to calls for re-evaluating Portlandâs relationship with the FBIâs Joint Terrorism Task Force. In 2005, the City of Portland withdrew from the task force, and Adams, then a city commissioner, supported that move.
His 2010 plan, released this afternoon, is mostly a list of questions plus a time-line for responding to those questions, which sound like they belong on a âCoffee Talkâ spin-off for policy wonks. Among them: âFrom 2005-present, have there been both failures and accomplishments in Oregonâs efforts to address criminal acts of terrorism? Describe.â Also: âHow have other state and local governments interacted with a JTTF and what have been their experiences? Have any changed their membership status since 2005?â
In the wake of the failed bomb plot at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Nov. 26, Commissioner Dan Saltzman, the only city commissioner in 2005 to vote against withdrawing, had pushed his colleagues on the council to vote Dec. 8 to return to the JTTF. Adams preferred a longer process. According to his plan, council wonât hold a public hearing on the topic until Feb. 24. Meantime, the mayor is accepting public comment on the initial draft until Dec. 17.
WWeek 2015