REARM & REFUND? Portland Tries to Bring Back Police Violence Unit After Murders Skyrocket

Turns out, no one wants the job.

Last summer, the Portland City Council caved to calls to defund the police department. First on the chopping block – the Gun Violence Reduction Team. The council cut $15 million from the budget, eliminating the 38-person gun violence squad. 

But now, murders are up and the department is scrambling to fill positions.

“Since 14 job openings were announced in May, only four police personnel have applied to work with the new version of Portland’s Gun Violence Reduction Team,” The Wall Street Journal reported. “None have yet been assigned.”

According to the Daily Wire, the resurrected unit, announced by Mayor Wheeler in March as the “Focused Intervention Team,” has a new citizen-advisory board.